Q,977.367
W586
^>^ ^ .^
WHITE HEATH CENTENNIAL,
1872-1972
WHITE HEATH
CENTENNIAL
1872-1972
"I believe a man should be proud of the place in which he
lives, and that he should so live that the place will be proud
that he lived in it."
— Abraham Lincoln
Q.-iV;,567
The Founders
NOBLE PORTER HEATH
Son of David Heath and Ann Porter.
Born February, 7, 1830. Came to Illinois
in 1845 from Green Township, Ross County
Ohio.
He came to Piatt County III. with his
parents who made the journey overland
with teams. Monticello was but a hamlet
and as there were no railroads, wheat was
hauled to Lafayette, Ind. or Chicago and
St. Louis.
His father bought a tract of wild land in
what is now Sangamon Township. Twenty
acres of the land was improved and fen-
ced, and a log cabin stood on the place into
which the family removed in the spring of
1846. This same year the father went on
business to Ohio and died while there in
Nv November of that year.
Q Noble P. Heath was a lad of 12 years
o when he came to Piatt County. The first
winter after coming here he attended
school in Monticello in the courthouse.
After moving to Sangamon Township he
assisted with the farm work and lived with
his mother until 1871. In that year removed
to the farm one mile south of the place
known now as the Village of White Heath.
His farm was well stocked with horses,
5 cattle and hogs of high grades.
— Mr. Heath was married to Mrs.
^ Elizabeth (Hevell) Wilson in 1865. Four
children were born to this union — Anna
^ M., Bessie B., Noble P. II, and Lillian.
Mr. Heath died June 9, 1893.
ILLINOIS
A north central state of the United
States. An area of 56,400 square miles.
Population 10.081,158. Capital, Springfield.
Entered the union December 3, 1818.
THE COUNTY OF PIATT
The 12th General Assembly authorized
the County of Piatt.
Piatt County was divided into 8 town-
ships, one of which was Sangamon
Township.
The names and boundaries of these
townships remains the same today as were
officially designated in 1860.
In 1872 the Village of White Heath was
started in Sangamon Township.
FRANK WHITE
Son of John McDowell (Mack ) White and
Rebecca Harness Williams.
Frank was born in Columbus, Ohio and
came to Illinois around 1860. He purchased
the land in Sangamon Township in 1861.
In March of 1872 he sold 160 acres of his
land to James Deland. This land became
White Heath.
White
Heath
Centennial
1872 to 1972
'k'k'k-k-k-k-kit'kir-kifk-kifkifkif'k-kir-k-kifk-k-kir
Schedule of Centennial Events
Kids Games
Parade
Teen Dance
Square Dance
Cake Walk
Horse Shoe Pitching
Judge of Beards
Judge of Women's Dresses
Soap Box Derby
Soap Box Finals
Tractor Pull
9.00
12:00 p.m.
9:00
9:00
8:30
7:00
7:30
8:30
6:00
2:00
7:00
Saturday, July 15
July 15
July 15
July 15
July 15
July 10
July 11
July 11
July 13
July 15
July 14
Church
Basket Dinner
Gospel Sing
Chicken Fry
July 9
July 9
July 9
July 15
•k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-kifkie-kifkitifk-kirit^-k-k-k-k-kitir
tlPP'^Y
THE VILLAGE OF WHITE HEATH
In 1838 the government sold to Isaac
Demorest tracts of land where White
Heath is part of today.
Previous to 1854 there were but three
settlements in the part of Illinois that later
became Piatt County. They were:
Monticello, Mackville, and Centerville
which is still a small community in
Sangamon Township.
In 1860-280 acres of land were sold at a
Master in Chancery sale to McDowell
White for $6000. The next year McDowell
White sold the land to his brother, Frank
White, for the same price.
In March 1872 Frank White sold 160
acres of his land to James Deland for
$6040. Witnesses to the transaction were N.
P. Heath and James B. Alexander.
Mr. Deland was with Col. Thomas Snell
and Company that had received a contract
on January 12, 1872 to build a railroad to
Havana.
On September 22, 1872 Snell, Taylor and
Company requested the Piatt County
Surveyor C. D. Moore to survey and plot
lots and streets for a village. This was done
and the plat for White Heath was filed for
record on September 30, 1872.
An auction for the lots was held on Oc-
tober 10, 1873; it rained most of the day.
Most of the lots sold this day were sold to
people out of the county. The lots were
sold for $50 to $60. Buyers of lots who
remained in or near White Heath were
James Webster, George Teats, Jesse
Bushee, and Sarah Williams.
After the Auction the first building built
was the Depot It burned in 1895 and was
replaced by the present Depot.
One of the first sales the day of the
auction in Oct. 1872 was to Patrick Coffey.
Lots 16 and 17 in block 3 just south of the
present Depot. It was stipulated in the sale
that Mr. Coffey must build a building on it
within a year. We can't find any record
whether he built the building or not but he
did pay his taxes on time in 1874.
The first person to build a building was
James Webster . Within four months, Jan.
29, 1873, he was appointed as the first
Postmaster for White Heath. He also
opened a general store at the same time.
His building was located at the corner of
Cherry and Commercial Street in Block 8.
It was no doubt the same building that Dr.
David later moved to the alley and used for
many years as a barn until torn down
by Mrs. Dilsaver in the thirties or early
forties.
One other sale made with stipulations on
the Auction day was to Mrs. Sarah
Williams Lots 9, 10, and 11 in block 7 at
the corner of Willow and Commercial. It
was sold to her for one dollar. She had a
son Vincent, and a daughter called Miss
Frank. Mrs. Williams built a hotel and she
and Miss Frank operated it intermittently
until the end of the century. The building
was two stories high and covered the whole
lot frontage of 66 feet. The building was
blown down in the storm of 1904. Her hotel
was called called The Junction House.
Another colorful figure , Charley Smith,
had much to do with business there when
White Heath was young. He built a store
on the railroad property on Commercial
St. just opposite the middle of Block 9. This
building had a large room in the second
story that was later called Cline's Hall.
For many years it served as the social
center of the Village and surrounding
community. It was torn down in the early
twenties and the usable lumber was used
in building the house used by Errie
Furnish. An annex to the building was
moved and is still used as a residence.
Mr. Smith, who operated the store until
1878, was a native of Centerville and civil
war veteran. He was a very popular man
in the White Heath Community. When he
started the store, granulated sugar was
just coming onto the market and he always
handled sea sugar. Noble Heath reported
that every time Mr. Smith sold any sugar
he put some water in what was left in the
barrel to compensate for the loss of water
by evaporation. He was honest about it; he
stated that that was the only way he could
sell 400 pounds of sugar out of a 400 pound
barrel.
In 1874 James Webster sold his business
to F.M. Peel. Mr. Peel was a druggist. He
sold about everything. Mr. Peel had a
partner, F. Watrons. He was appointed
Postmaster at this time.
On July 4, 1874, the first flag pole in
White Heath was raised in front of Smith's
store. A pole 70 feet long was secured from
the timber close by. An appropriate
ceremony was conducted and five men
from Centerville came to assist at the flag
raising. This was unusual for that time
Centerville and White Heath people were
not the best of friends.
The bad feeling was brought about
by: one, the voting of bonds to raise
TOWN OF WHITE HEATH
AT AITCTTON
WE WILL SELL
200 LOTS
In The Above Named Town
THURSDAY OCT. 10, 1872
To The Hishest Bidder, Without Reserve
WHITE HEATH
is situated in Piatt County at the iunction oi the Decatur and Havana
Division ol the extension ol the I. B. and W R.R. in one of the oldest and
most thickly settled portions ol Dlinois, all old iarm*. nnder a hi^ state oi
cultivation, ol medium size, occupied by owners in iact; good wheot land,
on abundance ol com and all other cereals, with fine old orchards wiiich
are now looded nvilh choice truits; A country with lar superior surroundings
than arry young tovm in Illinois, together with conjurtction of the two above
ncmed roads giving direct connection with both shores (the Atlantic arul
Pacific), with a freight rate less in proportion than statioru on any other
route. Plenty of fuel, wood less than one half mile from Depot, at two and a
liall dollars per cord. High rolling gronrd, commanding a fine view of the
country, all combined make this one of the most desirable investments now
in the market, together with the liberal terms, 20% cash, balance in three
equal annnal payments, enable all Laborers, Mechanics, Artlzons. Business
Men. Prolessionols or Speculors, lo invest.
FREE TRAIN
FREE LUNCH
Trains leave Bloomington a> 7:00 AM. Leroy 7:50
Fanner City 8:2^. Champaign 9:40. Danville 7:00
Clinton 8:30, Monticello 18:00 AJ1. Arriving in
WHITE HEATH AT 10:30 A.M.
I. O. Pullen
Auctioneer
Snell, Taylor and Co.,
Proprietors
money to build the railroad; two. the loss
of the railroad by Centerville and three, an
attempt of the people of White Heath to
have the Township locate a high school in
White Heath. The election for the high
school was held in April just before the flag
raising. Had we owned property in Cen-
terville at that time we no doubt would
have felt that we had been robbed by White
Heath.
Weaver and Converse were mentioned
as grain buyers and having an extensive
lumber business in 1874. All there was in
buying grain in those days was to buy the
grain and to order the cars to ship it in. Mr.
Converse was engaged in several business
ventures while in White Heath. He at one
time had a grocery store on the railroad
property and one time operated a
restaurant. He was in the village ten
years.
Milton Ross had a blacksmith shop on
the old stag couch road -U mile west of
town. In early days there wasn't any road
leading from White Heath to the shop. Mr.
Ross lived in a house near his shop, part of
which still stands there, now owned by
Verta Barber. The Ross
Cemetery near this home was named for
him and many of his family and himself
are buried there. Several foundations of
other houses around the Ross home are
still there. The foundations are large rocks
that were at each corner of the houses.
During the early days when the Stag
Coach road ran west and North of the
present sight of White Heath, Abe Lincoln
stopped at P'urnhis's Spring and drank
from a gourd dipper that hung on a nail
nearby. This spring is still active.
So much interest was shown in the
papers during the year 1874 when many
letters were printed during the fight that
was going on between Centerville and
White Heath. Mr. Peel the Postmaster at
that time repwrted that 140 subscribers
received the Republican thru the White
Heath post office as well as quite a number
subscribing for the other three county
papers. A group was organized to start a
paper in White Heath. They decided to call
it the Sangamon Herald. The yearly
subscription was set at $5.00 with
ministers, teachers, students, and poets to
get it at half price. It was to begin
publication in June 1875. They had trouble
gettmg an editor and the plans never
materialized.
A non-resident of White Heath that had a
lot to do with it early years was Rev.
Cumberland Tippett. Rev. Tippett was the
grandfather of Darrell Tippett who until a
few months ago was the the editor of the
Piatt County Journal Republican. Rev.
Tippett had migrated to Illinois and had
served as pastor of Methodist Churches at
several places in central Illinois. He was
minister at Centerville and Camp Creek on
that day in October 1872 when White Heath
was born. He lived just over Tippett hill
from White Heath. He fell from a tree
while picking apples on October 6, 1875 and
died the next day.
Toward the end of 1885 the people of
White Heath attacked the school problem
from a different angle. The one room at
Hazel Del was crowded. They had to do
something about it. It was easy to decide to
add another room. Since the school was
ungraded it made no difference where the
new room was located so the school board ,
consisting of George Deland and Milton
Curl of White Heath and Jess Clouser
decided to build the room in White Heath,
peace in the school district was assured for
three or four years.
THE RAILROAD STORY
In 1856 a railroad running from Danville
to Decatur, which is now a part of the
Norfolk and Western was built across the
southern part of Piatt County. Bement was
plotted for a village at a point nearest to
Monticello. It was to serve as a place to
take care of the business for the County
Seat.
A movement was soon started by
citizens of Monticello to have a railroad of
their own. Their purpose was not to build a
seven mile line to connect at Bement, but
much more ambitious project to build 23
miles and connect with the Illinois Central
which had lately been built through
Champaign. A company called The
Monticello Railroad Co. was formed.
Various routes were laid out, but the war
that began in 1861 curtailed most railroad
construction for the duration.
In 1867 Monticello again got the railroad
fever and deeds were secured for the right
of way. Some of the farmers who raised
many cattle were opposed to the railroad
as it would raise the price of corn and thus
make feed more costly But in general the
smaller farmers were more cooperative.
Michael Bochard owned 40 acres in
section 27. He gave to the Monticello
Company a deed to a right of way through
his farm with possession of all land within
50 feet of the center of the track There was
no limit to the time for the company to
exercise the option. The complete price
was $1.00.
On August 25, 1869, a new company was
formed by capitalists from New York and
other eastern cities. That group con-
solidated the Danville, Bloommgton and
Pekin with the Indianapolis. Crawford-
sville and Danville Railroad to form The
Ifidianapolis Bloommgton and Western
The group had a very ambitious project
to work on. that is to build tracks begin-
ning in Champaign and extending almost
due west across Illinois crossing the
Illinois river at Havana and proceeding
westward to cross the Mississippi river at
Keokuk. Iowa where they would unite with
the Missouri Iowa and Nebraska which
was in the process of being built to the
Missouri river At the Missouri they would
connect with the Union Pacific When this
project was finished, the railroad with its
eastern connection at Indianapolis would
form the shortest route from New York to
San Francisco.
Meanwhile in 1869 The Monticello
Railroad Co. had a new plan of its own.
Encouraged by a law that permitted
Townships without a railroad to vote bonds
and assist in building of one. The Mon-
ticello Co. decided to exploit this to the
limit and thus secure part of the capital for
building. As soon as a railroad was built
through an isolated part of country land
price of land jumped $10 to $60 an acre so it
was easy to sell the idea to the people.
Sangamon Township had 30,720 acres of
land. The people voted $40,000 to the
company that would run the first train
through the Township.
The Monticello Company's New sights
were set on building a railroad from
Champaign through Monticello to Decatur
and unite with the Decatur and E. St. Louis
Line which was to be finished in the near
future. This would make Champaign only
150 miles from St. Louis. This was to be
finished in 18 months.
There was little signs of activity during
1870. Some plans were talked about to
build a railroad from Champaign to
Monticello. After 5 years not a mile of
track had been laid.
On March 1, 1871 a contract was given to
complete a railroad from Champaign and
Monticello by July 1, 1871 and on to
Decatur by December 1, 1871. But once
again there was difficulty in raising
money. This resulted in the formation of a
working agreement between the I B and W
road and the Monticello railroad.
The I B and W planned to go straight
west from Champaign and the Monticello
line was to angle slightly south to Mon-
ticello. The compromise Route was about
' 2 way between the route surveyed in 1867
and the I B and W Route. This would make
the I B and W join with the Monticello line
near the curve at present junction of
present state route 10 and 47 proceed
northwest to Centerville and then in a
westerly direction to Havana. At this
projected junction near Route 47 and 10 is
where the White Heath story begins.
Work began in earnest in the spring of
1871 on the Monticello Line. But there was
more trouble. The Monticello Line refused
to be absorbed by the big Co. I B and W. So
the big Company formed a small company
called the Havana, Mason City, Lincoln
and Eastern Railroad.
Work on the Monticello road was pushed
to completion in 1871. Now the question
was, where would the two roads join.
The Caldwells; the Maddens; Kearneys
and Calefs owned large farms and were
feeders of large numbers of cattle and
hogs They opposed the idea of the junction
at the planned spot.
On Jan. 12, 1872 a contract was let to Col.
Thomas Snell and James Deland of Ohio
by the H Mc L and E to build a railroad
from a junction on the Monticello Line to
Havana. This Junction point was where
White Heath stands today.
NPTIONRL BANK
oj^ monttcecco
Member Federal Reserve System
and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Phone 762-2111
A NEW RAILROAD
The interurban fever was high in White
Heath. Rumor said that William B.
McKinley was going to connect Cham-
paign and Decatur with a street car line.
Speculation was that it would run through
White Heath and give the Village good
passenger service between the two cities.
The Illinois Central responded with
cheaper passenger service. Six passenger
trains operated each way each day bet-
ween Champaign and Decatur, and fares
were lowered to two cents a mile, one way
OT a cent and a half a mile round trip
between any two communities on the line.
The trains stopped at most every cross
road on the line for passengers.
People began to travel on the Illinois
Central, but that did not stop the in-
terurban from building a new railroad.
Early in March a contract was let.
Everyone that wanted a job got one that
summer. Wages for a man averaged two
dollars per day and wages for a man and
his team ran near four dollars per day.
It was one of the busiest years White
Heath ever had. They were rewarded
early in November 1906 by seeing the first
street car to operate in White Heath. It was
a small street car but it started carrying
passengers between White Heath and
Champaign at once. By the middle of
January 1907, interurban service was
extended to Monticello and by June the
next summer it had reached Decatur.
The interurban not only gave White
Heath a good transportation system but
established and left a small payroll there.
For several years the interurban had a
section crew of men in White Heath. Jerry
Purcell and Jeff Fisher took care of the
gang of men.
The interurban did a lot for the people
who lived along its line in their pursuit of
education. There was no reason now for
anyone in White Heath not to have a high
school diploma.
CEMETERY
Who were the people living in the area
when White Heath was a new village? This
question may be answered by visiting the
three local cemteries: Ingram, Ross and
Camp Creek.
First, let us go to Ingram Cemetery,
which is located about one mile northeast
of White Heath. Most of the fence line is
marked with a wonderful memorial of
beautiful evergreen trees planted by Clint
and Nina Harper. As we look over the rows
of graves, we find an old weather-beaten
marker that says, "Thomas Newell, 1887."
There is a window carved on it with cur-
tains drawn back and in the center is a
hand pointing toward heaven. We notice
that this same emblem of the hand is on
many of the older gravestones. Most of the
childrens stones have lambs carved on
them.
One small heartshaped stone says.
Graves of John Hughes 1887, one wife,
Cyntha. 18fi0 and on the other side wife.
Elizabeth. 1870. found in Ross Cemetery.
"Glenn, son of A. and J. Elsea, Budded on
Earth to Bloom in Heaven." Messages like
this show us the love and devotion of the
early settlers and the faith and hope that
sustained them. On the gravestone of
Lazarus Wright is this verse:
Rest dear father and mother, your work is
one
The cross is past, the crown is won
But you are not on earth forgot
And when our bodies meet that spot
I hope in heaven again to see
A dear father and mother, dear to me.
Some of the family names found here
are: Cline, Ingrum, Harper, Wright,
Lamb, Miller, Ramey, Luscaleet, Furnish,
Lacy, Keller, Derr, Carper, Evans,
Seymour, Rhoades, Davis and Taylor.
The oldest one is marked, "Infant son of
Jacob Cline, 1815." Another infant,
Clayton, son of William and Sarah Harper
died in 1816.
The most recent graves are those of
Bertha Smith and William Seymour.
Two modern stones reminds us of the
tragic deaths of Nelda Alexander and
Robert Dunn.
The second cemetery we shall visit is the
Ross Cemetery located about one mile
west of White Heath. There are no stones
bearing the name Ross. According to in-
formation received from our older White
Heath residents it was referred to by that
name because it was across the road from
a family names. Ross. Mrs. Ross was a
blacksmith and lived where Chet Haines
and his sister now live.
Time has caused many of the older
stones to crumble and fall. The oldest
stone we are able to locate is that of Sarah
Martino, 1818 The newest is T and S
Crowder 1848-1908 and 1849-1916 a replace-
ment stone. Toward the back of the
cemetery is a cement slab encasing three
stones, those of John Hughes. 1887; one
wife, Cyntha. 1860, on one side and wife
Elizabeth, 1870 on the other
Some of the family names found here
are: Crowder, Mooney, Hall. Coon,
Swisher, Hankinson, Bone, Piatt. Hughes.
Kerr, Heath, Kcmy, Cable, Madden,
Babcock, and Martmo.
About a mile south of White Heath we
Stone bearing name of Thomas Newell
1857 found in Ingram Cemetery.
Scroll shaped stones of William Curl, wife
and infant. 1874. Also the oldest stone of
Phillip Hanson 1884 in Camp Creek
Cemetery.
come to the third cemetery, Camp Creek.
Evergreens on the adjoining Payne Heath
land form a pretty background for this
cemetery. At one time the old Camp Creek
Church was located here; but it was
moved into White Heath in 1897.
Near the middle of the cemetery are
three stones shaped like scrolls with the
names William Curl, wife and infant 1874.
Nearby is a stone that says. "Three in-
fants, daughters and son of M. C. and R. J.
Bensyl." 1875. In the far southwest corner
you will notice the gravestone of Sam
Gingery, an Ohio Infantryman. This looks
like a very old stone; but there is no date
given.
Some of the family names recorded here
are Bookman, Morris, Grove. Heath,
Spencer, Hickman, Hubbart, Close, Hart,
Welsh, Bowdre, Combes, Coon, Ross,
Fosnaugh, Wolfe, Fisher and Teats.
The oldest stone is located next to those
of William Curl and belongs to Phillip
Hanson 1844. The newest — Oda Fisher
1964.
DR. V\.B. UNANGST
Dr W B. Unangst was located in Cen-
terville when the October 1872 sale was
held. But soon after located in White
Heath. He was a handsome, well groomed
gentleman. He owned a farm north of
White Heath and some of the people liked
to call him The Farmer Doctor. In 1888 the
Doctor and Miss Mattie Sevens were
married.
MONTICELLO
GRAIN CO.
FACILITIESAt
Monticello, III. — Seymour, III.
White Heath, III.
RAYCRAFT'S
Rexall Drug Store
Monticello, Illinois
POLING-HOLTZ CHEVROLET
HOME OF O.K. USED CARS
AND QUALITY SERVICE
Phone 762-2158
MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS
WOOD'S
REPAIR SERVICE
WHITE HEATH, ILL.
J. R. HEATH & SON CO.
JOHN DEERE — FARM EQUIPMENT
PARTS — SERVICE
Phone 762-2534
MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS
MONTGOMERY'S
WESTERN AUTO
ASSOCIATE STORE
MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS
MONTICELLO
In Monticel o, It's
READY MIX CO.
MARTIN'S
"Quality Concrete"
FOR QUALITY GROCERIES
CHOICE MEATS
354 W. Monroe Phone 762-9816
Monticello, III.
762-3161
PAUL C. GUCKER
Compliments of
STROHL FORD SALES
Walgreen Agency Drug Store
West Side Square
Monticello, Illinois
BERT DAVE BARNEY
Monticello, Illinois
R.C.A. G.E.
TEDDER REALTY ^^
a rmsworth
Mppliance
208 West Main
Monticello, Illinois
MAYTAG Phone 762-7121
CAMP CREEK CHURCH 1854
Long years before the village of White
Heath came into being, pioneer Methodists
began to construct a church buUding a
mile south of the spot where White Heath
was later started.
It was called Camp Creek Methodist
Church, named after a little stream that
ran through this prosperous farming
community.
It is probable that the church was a
continuation of the endeavor of Peter
Cartwright and his successors who
preached in a little school house a mile
south on the bank of Camp Creek.
It took them two years to build the
church, a rectangular barnlike building,
which was fifty-six feet long, thirty feet
wide with a twenty-two foot ceiling. It was
built in a clearing which must have been
used from the first as a cemetery. There
are stones there dating back to 1857.
The old Teat's homestead adjoined it on
the south. The building was lighted by four
large windows in the north side and same
on the south. Each window was composed
of 32 small panes.
The women sat on the right hand side
while the men sat on the left. It must have
taken a lot of courage for a young man to
escort his best girl to church.
The front fence had a large stile over
which all foot traffic passed. One minister.
Rev. Burkett, objected to the Sunday
visiting at the stile, fearing that his Ser-
mon would be forgotten.
Philip Conard was Sunday School
superintendent for a while.
In the earliest records, that of 1873,
shows the following names: Martha
Plaster, Mary J. Norris. Mary Meacham,
Hiram Bowie, Selina McCabe, Melissa
Ferrill, Louisa Ellen Rodgers, John
Perkins, Rachel Holderman, Gettus
Bowdre, Jacob Higbee, Emma Higbee,
Francis Bond and George Teats.
1875: — David Fosnaugh, Theordore
Fosnaugh, and Joseph Valentino.
1884: — Anna Flynn, Mary Cramer,
James Paris, Moses Hickman, Carrie Cox,
Nettie Smock, Joseph Campbell, Charlotte
Cox. Henry Trotter.
1885: — Lulu Conard, and Luther Cox.
1886: — Emily Branch, Mattie Foust,
Bessie Heath, Sarah Dooley, Maude
Higbee, Florence Tippett, Esther Coon.
1887: — Edward Flannigan, Noble
Heath, Clint Tippett, Emma Hart, Anna
Creviston, Ollie Smock, Sallie Harris,
Elizabeth Branch, Charles McCann, Aaron
Stevenson, Nettie Gray, John Ryan,
Homer Shaw, Jessie Hardwich, Bert
Bowdre, William Durham, Susie Durham,
and Porter Lacy.
1891: - Robert Trimble, William
Benson, Harry Fell, Frank Conard, Ed-
ward Kincaid, Luella Bond, Lizzie
Primmer, Lilliam Heath, and Ora Heath.
In addition to these records were the
names of older members of the Church: —
1872: — William Ridfiley, Louisa
Ridgley, Samuel and Jane Plaster, Calvin
and Eliza Har, William and Elizabeth
McCann, Samuel and Melissa Suver,
Nancy Adkins, Daniel and Mary Norris,
Mathias and Mary Teats, Sara Jimison,
Joseph and Martha Bly, Susan Hickman,
Porter and Elizabeth Heath, Helen, Jane
and Fannie Heath, John Hughes, Ella
Bond, Fannie Coon, Addison Coon,
Algeretta Wrench. Later these names
were added; Ada Heath, Ella McCann,
Jessie and Jane Bushee, Henry L. Tim-
mons, Lennia Hart, Viola Bowdre, Bar-
bara Teats, Susan Storm, B. Ellsworth
Duvall, C. S. and Eva McCurry, Peter and
Minerva Primmer, Mary Smock, Gussie
Smock, Charles Bachert.
The first time White Heath was men-
tioned in the record was 1891: Camp
Creek, Prairie Chapel and Lodge were
formed into a circuit called White Heath
Circuit and James M. Muirhead was ap-
pointed to it.
In 1897 Mr. Hart suggested moving the
church building to the Village of White
Heath. Mr. Hart donated the ground on
which it would stand. So it was moved.
While it was being moved services were
held in Cline's Hall. Dr. and Mrs. C.S.
Davis gave great assistance in re-
arranging the interior of the building when
it was placed in White Heath. A parsonage
was built soon after the church was
moved. Rev. and Mrs. W.N. Tobie were the
first occupants in 1899. For the first time
Camp Creek Church, which had been
called White Heath M.E. Church after the
move, had a resident Pastor.
The 1904 storm removed the roof of the
church. A few years later the roof was
blown off again.
In 1929 the church closed its doors on the
last Sunday morning in September. The
membership was moved to Monticello.
The above reminiscences and facts were
taken from a book written by Lillian Heath
Haines.
CHURCHES OF WHITE HEATH
In 1897 Mr, Hart suggested moving the
Camp Creek Methodist church building
from one mile south of White Heath where
it had stood since 1854, to land in White
Heath. Mr. Hart donated the ground on
which it would stand. So it was moved.
While it was being moved services were
held in Cline's Hall. Dr. and Mrs. Davis
gave great assistance in re-arranging the
interior of the building when it was placed
in White Heath. A parsonage was built
soon after the church was moved. Rev. and
Mrs. W.N. Tobie were the first occupants
in 1899.
In 1904 a storm removed the roof of the
church. A few years later the roof was
blown off again, this time during
Children's Day rehearsal, and once again
some changes were made. A basement
was dug, a furnace installed, the walls
painted instead of papered, and a piano
donated.
During these years from 1897 to 1910
many changes took place in personnel. Dr.
Davis moved to Champaign, Cal Hart and
Al Cade moved to Kansas, John Conard
moved to Colorado, W.C. Hubbart moved
to Monticello, Philip Conard moved their
membership to Monticello, and Mrs. Helen
Tippett passed away. New names appear
on the record, and new faces appear in the
congregation: D.W. Filer, Nettie Bradley,
Ralph Herbert, ND Redgley, Lizzie Crab-
be Ole Olson's family, Mrs. Maria Gra-
dy and Merle, Charles Parks and family,
Mrs. Silas Sievers and family, L.V.
Nickell, the Byron Thompson family,
George Drexler's, the Sam Bell family,
the Haines family, and Mary Flanigan.
In 1910 the church was placed on the
circuit with Bondville, Seymour and
Centerville, which arrangement continued
for about ten years, when once more we
became a station, with a resident pastor.
Rev. A,L. Simmons, who remaines for six
years and was succeeded by Walker
Butler.
The end was drawing near. The struggle
for existence was becoming too intense.
Many of the members were moving away.
It made it very hard to carry on.
The last surviving member from the old
days, and the oldest member of the church
was George Teats. The record shows he
was admitted to probation on February 14.
1873, and no doubt he was a member of the
Sunday School long before that date.
The church doors were closed on
the last Sunday morning in September
1929. The membership was moved entire to
the Monticello M.E. Church.
The church doors were closed on the last
Sunday morning in September 1929. The
membership was moved entire to the
Monticello M.E. Church.
In 1887 the United Brethren Church of
Centerville transferred their membership
to White Heath. Rev. Predmore was
assigned to be pastor.
Church was held at the school house.
Then when the new school was built the
church bought the old building.
Spirited revivals were conducted every
year by the United Brethren. The success
of the minister was judge by how suc-
cessful the revivals had been. The church
was not without any disturbance and we
frequently see of arrests that had been
made in White Heath for distrubing public
1
r
JfflL
^5
Mi^Wim ■:,
ry >\^
fi
^HeI
%
meetings, Jim Heath told of a would be
disturbance one night when he was in his
teens. Three young men who considered
themselves tough, went to the church in
the school house with the intention of
having a little so called fun. The minister,
Rev. Dilavou, had taken as his scripture
the story of Christ's casting out the devil.
The minister paused in his sermon, looked
at the boys and asked the people to excuse
him as he had three devils to cast out. He
stomped down the aisle and before he
reached the three boys, the devils had
changed to angels.
The Universalist Church was started m
1889. On May 24, 1896 they completed a
church building. It was destroyed by the
storm of 1904.
In memory of my parents. Doctor
Brent L. and Nellie R. Barker and
my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.
James Rankin.
By Lois Barker Leary
Front row: Edith Olson, Mabel Heath.
Kthel Bradley, Helen Tippett. Nell Heath,
Haltle Benson. Back row: Nettie Bradley,
Becky Heath, Mrs. Grove, Maggie Smith.
Mrs. Filer, Mrs. Parks. On wagon: Mrs.
Teats.
Mr. Ole Olson, who lived east of town,
gave the ladies of the Methodist Church all
the corn they could pick in a day for their
church fund. Charles Olso was assigned to
try to keep the ladies on the row. Mr.
Murray (grain buyer) gave them a
premium of 10c per bushel and Mr. Filer
gaven them 2c a bushel. At the price of 52c
per bushel the ladies netted $20.
The ladies that did all this work were:
Barbara Teats, Hattie Fell, Margaret
Dukes, Nellie Filer, Rebecca Heath, Nettie
Bradley, Etta Parks, Mollie Groves, Dr.
Florence Duvall, Mable Heath, Edith
Olson, and Ethel Bradley.
WHITE HEATH DOCTORS
During the early years of White Heath
the town had two doctors most of the time.
Dr. Henrie was one of the first. Not long
after he arrived he built a combination
home and office. The building still stands.
Dr. Henrie died Dec. 24, 1884. His place
was taken by Dr. Davis.
Dr. Unangst came to White Heath from
Centerville soon after the Auction. He
owned a farm north of White Heath. In 1888
he was married to Miss Mattie Bevens. We
also found mention at in 1875 he built a
shoe shop. We never found who the cobbler
was that ran the shop. The doctor died May
2, 1894. His practice was taken over by Dr
Hart.
Dr. Davis took over Dr. Henries
practice. Dr and Mrs. Davis gave a lot of
assistance in rearranging the interior of
the Methodist Church building after it was
placed in White Heath. Dr. Davis
remained in White Heath until 1902 when
he sold his home and office to Dr. Barker
and moved to Champaign.
Dr. Hart took over the Unangst practice.
Dr. Hart used two names while in White
Heath, sometimes Hart and some times
Harwood. Dr. Hart left the town soon after
the coming of Dr. Barker. But soon Dr.
Peel appeared, nephew of F.M. Peel, and
White Heath again had two doctors.
Brent L. Barker was a native of Ken-
tucky. He was born in Somerset, Kentucky
on the 15th of December, 1871. He was the
son of William M. Barker and Malinda
Sievers Barker.
Dr. Barker acquired his elementary
education in public school in Somerset and
later engaged in teaching for two years.
He was next a student at the National
Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio
where he pursued a general course and on
leaving that Institution he resumed
teaching for three years. While thus
employed at Somerset he took up the study
of Medicine and in 1893 entered the
Louisville Medical School. Where he was
graduated on the 25th of March, 1897 with
an M.D. degree.
Dr. Barker came to White Heath, Illinois
in 1898. July 11, 1902 he purchased property
which had a nice house and barn.
On the 17th of June 1903 he was married
to Miss Nellie Rankin of White Heath who
was born near Cisco, September 1, 1882.
After his marriage people of White Heath
thought that the good doctor was here to
stay. But a few years after he sold out and
moved to Monticello.
Dr. Barker was quite popular in social as
well as professional and business circles
and was liked by all who knew him.
Doctor and Mrs. Barker had two
children: Lois born in 1904; Ruth born in
1909.
Dr. Barker moved to Monticello, Sep-
tember 17, 1907. He purchased medical
practice and home from Dr. Wm. G.
Matson when he moved to Monticello.
Doctor Barker became a member of the
Presbyterian Church, served as Secretary
of Piatt County Medical Society, Member
of School Board, member of the draft
board World War I.
He continued to live in the same
residence and practiced medicine until his
death in 1917.
PHILCO
ADMIRAL
MOTOROLA
SONY
LLOYDS
FIDDLERS
BILL HAYES T.V.
Monticello, Illinois
BLANCHE WEST FASHIONS
105 W. Main St.
Monticello, 111.
The Latest in Fashions
Name Brands —
Junior Sizes - Misses - Half Sizes
Hours 9:50 Monday Thru. Saturday
JUDY'S BEAUTY SHOP
"Complete"
Beauty Service
White Heath, 111. Telephone 762-7470
KEN'S IGA FOODLINER
422 S. Market St.
Monticello, Illinois 61856
PIATT COUNTY FARM BUREAU
Think Positive — Be A Farm Bureau Booster
SPRINKLE'S TURKEY FARM
Dressed Turkeys For Sale
Lloyd Sprinkle
Owner
D & B CAFE
AND
BAR-B-0
White Heath, III.
Catering To The Young and Old On Main Street
BEST COFFEE WEST of TRACKS
Phone 762-7531
Dietrich
Congratulations
&
McJnnes
Hausmann
Flower Sliop
RESIDENTIAL
ELECTRICAL
South Side of
CONTRACTORS
THE RED DOOR
Monticello, 111.
Phone 762-2177
Tuscola, 111.
Phone 253-3431
DR. SIEVERS AND FAMILY
Dr. William Newton Sievers was born in
Nancy, Kentucky on March 18, 1885, a son
of William Logan and Perminah Hudson
Sievers. He received his medical degree
from the University of Louisville in 1910.
He came to White Heath early in 1910 and
practiced medicine in White Heath,
Illinois, from that date until the date of his
death on September 17, 1960. He built the
house where Nellie Alexander now lives
and through all these years had his office
in his house.
He married Ella Lydia Weddle in 1910.
To that marriage was born three children,
namely: Arnold Sievers, attorney, at
Monticello, Illinois; Arthur Sievers, who
was killed in June of 1943 in World War II :
and Maxine Fellinger, who now resides at
Kirkwood, Missouri. Ella Sievers died in
January of 1959 and Dr. Sievers sub-
sequently married Bertha Roane, who
survived his death and now resides in
Monticello, Illinois.
He served on the White Heath grade
school board of education for 25 years and
the Monticello High School board for 20
years, 19 as President. He was a former
President and Secretary of the Piatt
County Medical Association. On October
23, 1959, he was presented a certificate for
50 years of practice by the American
Medical Association. He delivered more
than 1300 babies and in April of 1959, the
residents of the community of White Heath
honored Dr. Sievers at a testimonial
meeting attended by many of the children
whom he had delivered, and in some cases,
grandchildren. He was presented a plaque
for his services to the community on that
occasion.
Doctors who at one time were in White
Heath: Dr. Henries, Dr. Davis, Dr.
Unangst, Dr. Hart, Dr. Barker, Dr. Peel,
Dr. Caldwell, and the last of the doctors to
practice in White Heath, Dr. W. N. Sievers.
On May 7, 1959 Dr. Sievers was honored
by White Heath. A tribute to Dr. Sievers
was written by Mrs. Bertha Roane who
later became Mrs. W. N. Sievers.
In the little old county of Piatt
In the state of Illinois,
There is a nice little Village
That is dear to each girl and boy.
White Heath is the name of the Village
And the people who reside therein
Are really and truly "the salt of the earth"
Now here's where my story will begin-
The story really started "way back when"
Farther back than some can
remember,
I just don't know if 'twas spring or fall
It may have been June or December.
But one day a young doctor moved into
town
Out of college just a year or so.
And why he settled in our town
This I will never know.
But settle in our town — he did
And he's been here, all of these years
He has shared in our "happy go lucky"
times
And also our sorrow and tears.
I remember when he'd been practicing
Not more than a week or two
My brother Chet got sick with the croup
And we didn't know what to do.
Dad said, "We'd better get a doctor"
And mother said, "Yes we should"
Dad said, "I'd call that new one,
If I thought he'd be any good."
Well, he went to the phone and called him
And he was there in nothing flat.
In just a few minutes Chet could breathe
again
He had cured him just like that;
My Dad said, "What do I owe you
For the medicine, trip, and such"
And the Blessed young Doctor said, "Oh I
don't know
Would two dollars be too much?"
As the days went by and grew into years
The Doctor's practice grew and grew
He was kept busy almost day and night.
With much more than he could do.
He's been a friend as well as a Doctor
To all of us down through the years.
He has stood by through many hardships
And helped quiet our worries and
fears.
This world would be a dreary place
As we go traveling down life's road
Without a family Doctor at hand
To share our every load.
He is someone to rejoice with us
When fortune comes our way
And give us real encouragement
For greater things some day.
He has learned to sympathize
And has tried to understand
The problems that each one may have
And to lend a helping hand.
He has brought many babies into the world
Has cared for the old and the young
And everyone entering our town today
Will hear his praises sung.
Much more could be said of the Doctor
But 'twould take till the end of time
There aren't enough words to write it all
down
And certainly not in rhyme.
So I'll just say "Three cheers for Dr.
Sievers"
May his good works live on and one.
And each feel grateful in his own small
way
For the family Doctor to lean upon.
■W
/
Dr. Siever's old barn.
This is a partial list of the names of the
babies delivered by Dr. W. N. Sievers.
Patrick Tatman, Fancy Rosy Johnson,
Stanley Sievers, Katherine Furnish,
Chester Henderson, Myrtle Luce, Mildred
Miller, William Coyle, Lizzie McClellan,
Bessie Blacker, Walter Perry, Mildred
Wrench, Erma Flanigan, Hildred Viola
Allen, Clarence Perry.
Margerite Heath, Ella Collins, Donald
Zindars, Lois Hamm, Baby Girl Spencer,
Webster A. Stark, Charles Glen Mitchell,
Willard Singer, Baby Boy Furnish, Clif-
ford Barlow, Rozetta Hickman, Baby Girl
Primmer, Harold Unangst, Glenn Harper,
Ernest Henderson.
Lula Taylor, Robert Paris, Fred Shultie,
Ethel Tatman, Martha Plimpton, Kenneth
Blacker, Hubert Wrench, Bernice Smith,
Harry J. Harper, Luiza Wrench, Nancy
Todd, Baby Girl Webb, Lyle Johnson,
Arnold Sievers, Eldon Luscaleet.
Paul Conwav, Erslice F. Mackey,
Thelma Wrench, Harry Perry, William A.
Blasler, Marian Ruth Heath, Audrey
Combes, William H. Elsworth, Eva Eades,
Mildred Primmer, Dorothy McClure,
Jacob Spencer, John Albert Cox, Ella B.
Sievers, Baby Boy Higgins.
John R. Henderson, Floyd W. Paris,
Henry Cary, Eva May Wrench, Paul
Branch, Morris Coyle, Hazel Spencer,
Edith Henderson, Charles Ragland, Paul
Olson, Emma Zella Bell, Dorothy Har-
dy man, Bessie Furnish, Ruth Furnish,
Arthur Sievers.
Baby Boy Mackey, Ruth Drexler, Maude
Bowdre, Dorothy Heath, Clifford Creech,
Albert Routt, Edna Bartley, Sarah Perry,
Mary Gadberry, Clifford Evans, Mary
Hamman. Doris Wilkie, Ruth Blacker,
Alvin Hammel, William Simmons.
Helen Hankinson. Frances M. Harper,
Donald Bowman, Robert Harper, Barbara
J. Wright. Clarence Hankinson, William
Fosnaugh, John Blacker, Baby Girl Great-
house, Lois Olson, James Foster, James
R. Blacker, Paul K. DeLand, Dorothy
Ragland, Ruby V. Ealy.
Nellie B. Handley, Francis E. Lang,
Walt. Lichtenberger, Carol Alexander,
Helen Mackey, Stephen Perry, Dale
Robinson, Mary Childers, Jesse D. Hick-
man, Baby Boy Kirkland, Charles Zindars,
William McConkey, Nellie Pollard,
Florence Henderson, Benny Mcintosh.
Fred Fraker, Norma Bartley, Katherine
Handley, Chester Robinson, Eva Marie
Cox, Frances Dunlap, Doris Luscaleet,
Dortha Luscaleet, Erma Ruth Wilkey,
Lucy M. Hankinson, Ralph S. Mix, Charles
Olson, Helen L. Robinson, Max Evans,
John B. Webb.
Lester V. Mackey, Mary H. Hickman,
Edna Cox, Frances B. Madden, Joseph A.
Keller, William N. Branch, Earl Slusser,
Ruth R. Hostler, Charles Henderson,
Josephine Hankinson, Phyllis W. Winder,
Doris Rusch, Dale V. Mackey, Anna
Bartley, Leddy Handley.
William H. Hostler, Lois Bryant, Orian
Ronald Madden, Baby Girl Greathouse,
Darrel Dean Mcintosh, Charles Flan-
nigan, Donald Martin, Dorothy P.
Seymour, George Perry, Melvin Ruch,
Mollie Wrench, Elizabeth Grady, Clifford
DeGroft, Berlyn Scott, Velma Jene Mc-
Donald.
Floyd Sprinkle, Alzona Cline, Claude
Henderson, Robert E. Nibb, Thelma Ruch,
Jack Camp Smith, Doris Kingston, Ruth
Aleen Brown, Betty Lucille Ruch, Francis
White, Ardith Brown, John Handley Jr.,
Jewel Dilsaver Jr., Wallace Brock, Leona
DeLand.
Lorna Flannigan, Ellen Sievers, Lyle
Ragland, John Sprinkle, Harold Zindars,
Thelma Ruth Hannah, Robert Hostler,
Doris Dubson, John Bartley, Ona Great-
house, Emma Jean Seymour, Maxine
Scott, Johnnie Dunlap, Jaunita Stewart,
Lester Winder, Marian Olson, Laura
Flannigan, Allen Ruch, Chester Record,
Baby Girl Musick, Wanda Parker, Robert
Sievers, Bobbie Webb, Luella Brown,
Orville Kaufman, Nora Larson, Naomi
Sprinkle, Norma Jean Ruch, Baby Girl
Norfleet, Mildred Workman.
Virgil Stanford, Junior L. Norfleet,
Joyce Koss, Arther Larson, James
Freeman, W. A. Skeels, Gayle Wright,
Dale Edwin Vance, Mildred Haines, Betty
Gordon, Norma Jean Wood, Donna Rae
Grove.
Wayne Meece, F. Wayne Alexander,
Baby Boy Cobb, Nancy Joan Vance,
Vivian E. Hassinger, Bensley Sims,
Shirley Sprague, Roland Seymour, An-
drew Flannigan, Kenneth Frye, Maxine
Brown, Ann Paugh, Mary Castang, James
Cafin, Delores Dickerson.
Charles Ross Mitchell, Shirley Rambo,
Leslie Skeels Jr., Raymond Hunter Jr.
Doris Edith York, Chris Koss Jr., Muriel
Haneline, Beulah Wood, Leroy Hankinson,
Francis Larson, Mannie M. May, Patricia
Mitchell, Richard Harper, Robert
Eastham, Charles Wileaver.
Sydney Dresback, Walter Hunter, Dale
Gentry, Evelyn Gaines, Ruth Ann Beebee,
Richard L. Tabor, Delpha Irene York,
Doris Haneline, Paul Redman, Sharon
Skeels, Virgil Hunter, Baby Boy Barlow,
Thelma Gaines, William Roger Kallem-
bach. Donna Dean Hunter.
Maurice M. Wileaver, Norma Ruth
Mitchell, John W. Sievers, Nancy Doris
Beebe, Linda Lou Rambo, Larry Haneline,
Sonja Jean Weiner, Vera Hassinger, Alice
Jean York, Carl Hume Mitchell, Larry
Dean Allen, Gary Hunter, Clarey Bell
Carinder, Linda L. Hassinger, Sharon
Thompson.
Judith Primmer, Mary J. Sievers, Agnes
Olson, Janet Wileaver, Albert Wimer, Ray
E. Primmer, Ronnie Peak, Max Hickman,
Audrey Cafin, B. Pauline Mitchell, James
L. Webb, Robert E. Webb, Thomas E.
McCall, Charles Olson, Francis Freash.
Billy Tabor, Mary E. Kallembach,
Clinton Bartley Jr., Judith Heckman,
Frankie Thompson, Caroly Koss, James
E. McDade, Teresa Meredith, Gerald
May, Dale Trimble, Bessie Long, George
Davis, Delina Wilson, Carol Hassinger,
Judith Williamson.
Ronald Dates, Mary Hammerschmidt,
Marilyn Stewart, Linda Lee Cody, Donna
Mae Cook, Elsie Torrence, Roy Wm. Jones
Jr., Harold Burton, Prisilla Smoot, Marion
Rankin, Virgina Henderson, Dora Lee
Groves, Darline Mackey, Dorthy M.
Grove, Helen Seymour, Robert West,
Richard Olentine, Bernadine De Grofft,
Eugene Bunting, John Edward Sievers.
James. H. Denison.
Baby Boy Riggins, Lawrence Larson.
Ray Chumbley, Glenn Brown. Robert Earl
Fox, Bobby Ruch, Vera Cafin, Hazel
Workman, Mary Jean Schmidt, Gredil M.
Mattox, Bernice Seymour, Lewis A. Pyie,
Cleo Fern Seymour, Margaret Frye,
Gilbert Hunter.
Orva Hassinger, Beulah Castang, Elsie
Larson. Shirley Brown, Frank Flannigan,
Cecil Johnston, Doris L. Lane, Norma
Jean Nonte, Billy Loyd Sprague, Phyllis
Olson, Lewis Belshaw, Lloyde Unangst,
Howard Wilson Jr., Letha Grove,
Margaret E. Vance.
Orville Dale Frye, Ralph Manuel,
Charles Johnston, Loyde Eckel, Walter
Mays, Ruby Jean Perry, Vida May
Musick, Robert J. Wright, Alma Robinson,
Juanita Watson, Martha June Wood, K.
Max Olson, Ruth Lorraine Mitchell, Glenn
Furnish, Bonnie Mongold.
John Flannigan, Charles Castang, lona
Vermillion, Don L. Vinson, Thomas
Bergen, Vernon W. Brown, Orville Brown,
Edward Scott Jr., Laurence Sievers,
Margie Weaver, Russell Gordon, David
Pyle, Arnold Musick, Jack W. Wood,
Hubert Hickman.
Dwight Castang, Claude F. Mark,
Harold Frye, OrvQle Grove, Norma Jean
Cafin, Jackoline Burgin, Mary Jayne
Wright, Charlatte Robinson, Dorothy
Anderson, Harold E. Jordon, William
Raleigh Manuel, Marilyn J. Mitchell,
Evelyn Fuqua, John C. Swisher, Dewey C.
Ban.
Donald Seymour, Ronald Unangst, Joan
L. Moefield, Kenneth Greathouse,
Jaqulyne E. Brown, John Wilson, Delbert
W. Jones, Erma Hassinger, Betty F.
Brown, Carolyn Bowdre, Samuel Mc-
Pheeters, Baby Girl Grove, Neil Allen
Branch, Nell A. Branch, Irvin L. Seymour.
Dwayne A. Wilson. Alice Dodd, Nola
Avis Mitchell. Janice Marie Vance, Peggy
McCall, Linda Lou Dyson, Garry Shipl,
Russel Vance, Robert W. Harper, Sandra
Osborne, Judy Ann Blosser, Gary Harris,
Larry Vance.
Donna Mae Gates, Connie Sue Curry,
Betty Joan Curry, Beverly Gates, JoAnne
Moefield, Mildred Hunter, Johnny Hen-
derson, Charles Hammerschmidt, Anna
Hammerschmidt, Donald Garland, Dorvin
Ray Moefield, James Leo Isbell, Linda
Henderson. Rex Allen Dalton. Arthur Bell.
Annie Isbell. John H. Guffey, Donald
Roy Stone. Donald Gilbreath, Edith Mae
Argo. Karen Jo Duncan. Thelma Jean
Argo, Lewis K. Argo, Eugena Wright,
Donna Jean Cody. Catherine Tatman,
Marian Kallembach, Michael McDade,
Richard Greenarch, John Hammer-
schmidt.
Danny Jo Heckman, Bonnie Lou Curry,
Charles R Buckley, Rodney Tabor, Ethel
Mae Sebens, Sally Lutrell, Arthur Alan
Sievers, Juilius Sarver, James Mitchell,
Claude Cody, Carolyn Sue Muse, Luella
Brooks. Kay Diane Vaughn. Shirley Kidd,
Sharon Lee Rich.
Harold Roger Morris, Janice Bel)out,
James Jordan, Gary David Harper, Nancy
Webb, Larry Roberts, Lee Ilia Musick,
Mary McClellan, Robert M. Sims, Dannie
Lee Harper, Jackie Buchanan, Stephan
Sievers, David Miller, Leonard Lathrop,
Patsy Surber.
Delbra Kay Norton, James Henderson,
Roy Allen Laws, Carl Sebens, Rebecca
Ann Twist, John E. Jordan, Roger Dale
Funk, Odell May, Nila Meredith, Willard
Carney, Joyce Polen, Frederick Hanson,
Doris Gaines, Joyce Huisinga, Cora Lou
Ashby.
Shirley Carnder, Kirby Darst McVey,
Brenda Blosser, Jerr Lee Smith, William
Barlow, Richard Jones, Donald Ray
Truitt, Phyllis McDaniel, Bradfor Mc-
Daniel, Maxine Sievers, and Walter E.
White.
GRANDMOTHER'S RECEET
Grandmother's Receet. Years ago when
my mother was a bride, my Kentucky
grandmother gave her "receet" for
washing clothes. This treasured bit of
writing now hangs above my gleaming
automatic washer.
1. Bild fire in back yard to het kettle of
rain water.
2. set tubs so smoke won't blow in eyes if
wind is peart.
3. shave 1 hole cake lie soap in bilin
water.
4. sort things, make 3 piles. 1 pile white. 1
pile cullord. 1 pile werk briches and rags.
5. stur flour in cold water to smooth then
thin down with bilin water.
6. rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard,
then bile, rub cullord but don't bile just
rench and starch.
7. take white things out of kettle with
broom stick handel then rench blew and
starch.
8. spred tee towels on grass.
9. hang old rags on fence.
10. pore rench water in flower bed.
11. scrub porch with hot sopy water.
12. turn tubs upside down.
13. go put on cleen dress, smoth hair with
side combs, brew cup of tee, set and rest
and rock a spell and count blessins.
GRANDMA'S DAY
ON THE FARM
Grandmother on a winter's day, milked
the cows, slopped the hogs, saddled the
mule.
Got the children off to school. Did a
washing, mopped the floors.
Washed the windows and did some chores.
Cooked a dish of home dried fruit, pressed
her husband's Sunday suit.
Swept the parlor, made the bed, baked a
dozen loaves of bread.
Split some firewood and lugged it in —
enought to fill the kitchen bin.
Cleaned the lamps and put in oil, stewed
some apples she though might spoil.
Churned the butter, baked a cake, then
exclaimed, "For goodness sake.
The calves have got out of the pen";
Farmers helping a neighbor after a heart
attack. Kneeling: Harold Musick. Darwin
Musick. Clayton Greenarch, Arnold
Musick, Frank Bowdre. Standing: George
Day, John Blacker. Dick Dickerson, Floyd
Bowdre, John Heath, William Musick.
-WSITE HEATH.
F. M. PEEL, Postmaster, Druggist. Pure Medi-
cines, Fancy Goods, Notions, etc. Physicians
Prescriptions carefully prepared,
S. WEAVER & CO., Dealers in Grain, Ltun-
ber, Coal, Salt, etc.
J. A- FOSNAUGH, Carpenter, Contractor and
Builder.
W. S. DAWSON, Proprietor " White Heath *
Carnage and Wagon Shop, Blacksmithing in
all branches.
SANGAMON TOWNSHIP.
LODGE BROS., Farmers and dealers in Grain,
Coal, Salt and Lumber. Lodge Station, Sec. ig.
N, P. HEATH, Farmer, Stock Raiser and Grain
Buyer. Section ly. P. O. White Heath.
B. H. BENSON, Farmer and Stock Raiser-
Breeder of Short-Homed Cattle, Clydesdale
Horses, and Poland China Hogs. Section jj.
P. O. Monticello.
Went out, and chased them in again.
Gathered the eggs and locked the stable —
back to the house and set the table.
Cooked a supper that was delicious.
Afterward, washed up all the dishes.
Fed the cat and sprinkled the clothes.
mended a basketful of hose.
The opened the organ and began to play,
"When you come to the end of a perfect
day."
—Author unknown
THORNTON SERVICE & SUPPLY
P.A.G.
Electrical Contracting & Service
Supplies & Equipment Rental
HYBRID SEED CORN
BILL YOUNG
Do it yourself or
Have us do it for you
White Heath, Illinois
North Side of O
Phone 762-7541 Monticello , 111 .
IVALL'S COUNTRY INN
WILBUR'S ELECTRIC &
HEATING, INC.
and Company Meetings
Monticello, 111.
762-7547
Steaks — Chops — Seafoods.
R.R.I
Monticello, Illinois
Phone 762-2140
DALE'S TEXACO
DALE BUCHANAN, Owner
Complete Car Service
Pickup and Delivery
Dial 762-2816
24 hr. Wrecker Service
Dial 762-8692
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE
William A. Drennan
901 LongviewRd.
Monticello, Illinois
Monticello, Illinois
WHITE HEATH BUSINESSES
During the later part of the first decade
of the 20th century some men around
White Heath began to get interested in
White Heath business. Oscar Thompson
who operated a store in Centerville turned
his attention to White Heath. Seymour
White purchased the building owned by
Earl Deland and stood just east of the
depot. In 1905 he leased his building to Mr.
Thompson and soon a fourth grocery store
was in operation. In 1906 the coming of the
Interurban took over the building owned
by Mr. White as it was in the road of the
new tracks, it had to be moved. Mr.
Thompson sold his merchandise and
goodwill to Robert Stewart and wife and
they operated the business after the
building was moved.
In 1908 Mr. Thompson was back in
business in the Interurban building in
partnership with Earl Deland. They built a
two story building where the present pool
room stands and operated a general
merchandise store.
After a year or two they sold the building
to Frank Blacker and the business to
George Drexler. Mr. Thompson soon left
town and Earl Deland became cashier of
the New Sievers and Cline Bank.
In 1913 William Jones of Cisco located a
branch store in White Heath. Mr. Sievers
bought the store building that had been
built by Julius Flanigan and last used as a
store by Europe Fosnaugh. The building
was moved about a hundred feet east and
two large rooms were added to the west of
it. Mr. Jones opened a hardward, im-
plement and furniture store in the
building. Soon after another room was
added to the east and Harry Sanford of
Monticello opened a harness shop there.
Later another room was added and George
Clouser moved his barber shop to it.
George and his wife soon took over the
room built for the harness shop and for
many years operated a restaurant and
barber shop in the two rooms.
Mr. Jones only was in White Heath for a
couple years. Teats and Morton operated
an implement store in the building for a
few years.
Ross Mitchell's Store: Reg Mitchell;
Grace Stantz; Jeanette Blacker; Terry
After Ross Mitchell's store burned in
1885, he later built a small room between
Mr. Peel's store and Dr. Henries office and
located his Post Office there. The building
had various uses from time to time, first as
a butcher shop, and on a couple occasions
Cresap; Sharon Hartsfield; Curtis Vance;
Dobbins Jeff Fisher.
was a barber shop and at one time the Ross
Sisters operated a ladies and hat shop
there. After the turn of the century the
building was bought by Jerry Purcell and
moved to his home northeast of town and
used as a kitchen.
Fred and Betty Miericke and Store.
The Bank Building
THE WHITE HEATH
BANK STORY
In 1874 Hiram Artman made the
prediction that White Heath within another
year would have a National Bank. Well,
they never got the National Bank but after
thirty years they did get a bank and Hiram
Artman was instrumental in helping get it.
In November 1906, Mr. Cline was elected
County Treasurer. Mr. Cline had long felt
the need of a bank to take care of the
township and school fund of Sangamon
Township.
Mr. Cline, with the help of Hiram Art-
man, John Heath, and others organized in
1907 the J. F. Heath Banking Company of
White Heath. A side room of Mr. Cline's
store was used as a bank, and the same
force that took care of the store and Post
Office handled the business of the bank.
In 1913 Mr. Cline died. His son Ona took
over his interest in the band and the bank
was reorganized under the name of
Sievers and Cline and continued to operate
in the Cline Building.
William Alexander a farmer and stock-
buyer was elected president of the White
Heath State Bank when it was organized in
1921. It was located in a modern bank
building that Silas Sievers influenced the
bank to erect in 1913.
The State Bank of White Heath was in
business until 1927 when it was sold to the
Moore State Bank in Monticello.
In memory of the late
Lucy Wood Hicks.
Sponsors
Chris Koss family
Earl Hicks family
Charles Wood family
Carl Wood family
Clyde Wood family
Ralph Trambley family
Jack Wood family
GRAIN ELEVATORS
OF WHITE HEATH
In 1895 J. C. Flanigan with a silent
partner, his brother, John A. Flanigan,
became more active in the grain business.
At that time farmers had to scoop the
grain into boxcars.
Mr. Flanigan contrived a device that
made it much easier for the farmer. He
built a building at the high place along the
railroad and made a high driveway into it.
Once on the driveway it was easy to dump
the grain into a huge box just under the
floorboards and when the wagon was
empty and moved out the boards were put
back. A team of horses were hitched to a
rope which with the use of pulleys was
used to lift the box to the top of the elevator
and then the grain was run into the boxcar.
In 1903 William Murray built the first
real elevator in White Heath. But it wasn't
in use long for the storm in 1904 blew it
down. This was a great loss because it had
a 50,000 bushel capacity.
In 1904 William Murray built the present
elevator that was fifty percent larger.
H.F. Hannah (ieneral Store
i92:ito i9:t»
In 1923 Hugh F. Hannah purchased the
general store of Max Branch in White
Heath. Mr. Hannah moved with his family
to White Heath from Lodge where he had
operated a similar store for several years.
Mr. and Mrs. Hannah operated the store in
White Heath until 1939 when it was sold to
Ross Mitchell.
Different from today's super-markets,
this general store carried a wide variety of
merchandise and was the source of many
supplies to the residents of White Heath
and the farmers of the surrounding area.
In addition to groceries, many items of
clothing, like men's overalls, hose, and
yard goods were carried in stock. A busy
cream and egg buying station was
operated. The gas pump supplied fuel for
the cars of this period.
In contrast with today's shipping
methods, railroad car loads of potatoes,
sugar, and other staples were shipped in
frequently. Also typical of those years
were the truck loads of groceries, meats,
and ice delivered to various farms for
thresher's dinners.
Assisting Mr. and Mrs. Hannah in the
store at different times were Orville
Kaufman, Ogal Greathouse, Fred Lanier
and Ross Mitchell. Also helping were the
four Hannah children, Phyllis, Mrs.
Herbert Barnes of Seattle, Washington;
Ardeth,Mrs. Charles Finson of Monticello;
Lawrence, of St. Louis, Missouri; and
Noel, who was killed in World War II.
Two years after selling the store, Mr.
Hannah passed away on October 4, 1941 in
Champaign. Mrs. Hannah now lives at 506
West Healey Street in Champaign
WANTED
Hired from my barn in White Heath on
June 2, 1911, one roan mare, 11 years old,
weight 11.50. Shod all around. Open bridle.
Trots and paces in harness. Full fore top;
black main and tail. Buggy steel tire; 3
bow top; hole torn in top, and has been
patched once; buggy used 6 or 7 years;
new spoke been put in hind wheel and has
no paint on it. Also has horse blanket
covering seat.
DESCRIPTION OF MAN — Height, 5
feet, 10 inches. Weight, 175, Smooth faced;
wearing a narrow rim stiff straw hat.
Light grey suit of clothes.
G.W. Teats, Owner.
Address all communications to F. D.
Duvall, Sheriff, Monticello, Illinois.
Many young men and women born in or
near the Village of White Heath became
professional members of our state of
Illinois: Arnold Sievers, attorney; Roy
Cline, attorney; Horce White, attorney;
Clarence Hughes, M.D.; Charles Branch,
M.D.; Ralph Bushee, Dentist; Charles A.
Olson, Jr., Civil Engineer; and many
nurses and teachers.
TELEPHONES
Noble Heath was especially interested in
phones. A young man by the name of John
Kirkpatrick worked for Noble. James
Heath and Kirkpatrick became good
friends. Noble taught the boys how to
make a wet cell battery and they put a
phone in the house and connected to a
phone in the barn. Then they connected a
phone at James Heath's home a half mile
aways. Noble had an aunt in White Heath
and he connected a phone to her house.
Then Dr. Davis wanted a phone connected.
Finally the White Heath Telephone
Company came into being. Each phone
holder paid a fee of $40 and from then on
they were charged a cent a day, $3.65 per
year for the service. The operator earned
35c per day.
The family of the late Charles and Minnie
Wood, who has been a resident of White
Heath, since IllL'li. Secoiul row: .Stanley.
Clyde. Delineth ( harles, ( arl Left to
right: Frames Kckel. Mother, Jack,
Grace, Lucv. Mabel.
In memory of the late Charles and
Minnie Wood.
sponsors
Chris Koss family
Earl Hicks family
Charles Wood family
Carl Wood family
Clyde Wood family
Ralph Trambley family
Jack Wood family
FLOWER'S
"WE DELIVER"
115 W. Main Phone 762-7113
Reg. Hours Mon. - Thurs. 8 : 30-5 : 30
Fri. 8:30-9— Sat. 8:30-5:30
Weddings
Anniversaries
Funerals
Special Occasions
IVfONTICELLO
"We Wire Flowers Anywhere"
Compliments
Cliff & Dorothy Nelson
MONTICELLO BOWL
12 New A. M.F. Lanes
Air Conditioned
Cocktail Lounge
DOTY JEWELER
Monticello, Illinois
Accutron - Bulova - Caravelle
Watch Repair
STATE FARM
INSURANCE
Auto Life Fire Hospitalization
SEE YOUR STATE FARM AGENT
JIM CLODFELTER
112 N. Charter St. Phone 762-5116
Home Town Service Wherever You Go
MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS
GAMBLES
"The Friendly Store"
DWAINE and BEVERLY MERRIMAN
106 South Charter Phone 762-4376
COMMUNITY HOMES INC.
356-8346 — Champaign
Champaign-Urbana's largest home builder —
We can build on your lot — Model homes open
Sundays
(•onfffniulaliotis
White Heath
On
Your WOth Anniversary
The Caprice
Rost Chevrolet
Hammond, Illinois
Owner
Robert Rost
Salesman
Ike Walden
Sports in White Heath
Sports is one active pastime which many
people enjoy watching as well as par-
ticipating.
In the closing years of the 1800's and the
beginning of the 190O's White Heath was
White Heath Sox coached by Scoby
Phillips and assisted by Don Win-
terbottom. Left to right top row: Scoby
Phillips, Steve Sprague, Kim Benson, Dan
Seymour, Don Winterbottom. Second
Row: Randy Eades, Jeff Phillips, Eric
Benson, Don Reynolds, Jerry Perkins,
Tom Menacher. Front Row: Doug Lilly,
Rich Sebens, Tom Benson, Mike Win-
terbottom, Jeff Painter, Eric Win-
terbottom.
noted for its great Football teams.
In 1972 White Heath merchants are the
sponsors for a small boys little league
team, coached by Earl Pearce and Larry
Mattox; the White Heath Cubs, coached by
Butch Buchanan; The White Heath Sox,
coached by Don Winterbottom, Scoby
Phillips and Gene Kutz; and two pony
league teams coached by Dick Harper and
Bill Vaughn.
This is the first year for the young boy's
team and was formed because of the large
amount of interest in baseball. The two
little league teams were formed from the
original Sox club just four years ago.
Previous coaches of this first Sox team
were John Blacker and Roy Phillips. In
1960 Mr. Blacker's team won 1st. Mr.
Phillips coached the team in 1966 when-
they captured first place in the tour-
nament and 1967 they won first place in the
league competition. This honor returned to
our town in 1970 when the cubs also cap-
tured first place in league competition and
also first place in the tournament under
the coaching of Dick Harper and Rocky
Winterbottom. In 1971, Butch Buchanan
took a group of boys to Monticello for an
AU-Star tourney.
The Poney league was reorganized in
1970 because there were many boys in-
terested in playing who were not being
given the opportunity to play in Monticello.
Rather than see these boys deprived of this
opportunity, Dick Branch and Joe Chalk
Jr. graciously consented to assume the
coaching duties of these youths.
The parents have faithfully followed and
worked just as hard as the Ball players.
The Association purchased lights for the
diamond. The men have worked hard to
make the diamond as nice as it is. They
even poured a new floor for the refresh-
ment house. They have been very good in
helping with the ground upkeep. The
Moms supply the labor for selling pop,
candy, and popcorn to help finance the
teams. The boys furnish the entertainment
which the Community really enjoy.
Judy Harper Co-Treasurer
White Heath Little and Pony Leagues.
White Heath Cubs team, coached by Dick
Harper and assisted by Ken Purcell. Front
Row: Terry Cresap, Steve Carr, Bob
Alexander, Danny Blacker, Jeff Wilson.
Second Row: Steve Harper, Brett Doane.
Third Row : Steve Alexander, Done Stone,
Kenny Purcell, Barry Price, Terry
Fogerson, Robert Rowland, Richard
Rowland, Tim Fogerson. Back Row:
Coaches Dick Harper and Ken PurcelL
Basket-Bail Team
Ruth Parnell, coach, lower-grades
teacher: Leota Fosnaugh, Lalla Votrain,
Rose Hosier, Beryl Freeman, Helen
Purcell, Julia Filer.
White Heath Little League 1963. Bottom
Row: Eric Olson, Bruce Doane. Bill Olson,
Rick Carr, John Whitlock. David Crow,
Ray Moefield,. Standing: Scott Perry,
Mark Greenarch, Randy Vance. Stan
Blacker. Coach John Blacker. Jim
Kallembach, Charles Cresap. Paul Nor-
man.
Top 1. to r.: Mr. Miller. Joe Filer. Charlie
McDonald, Carl Ewing, Clark Blacker,
James Heath, John Wrench, Mr.
Luscaleet. Bottom 1. to r.: Roy Cline.
Arthur McDonald. Fred Bensyl. Max
Branch, Oscar Furnish and Arthur Heath.
THE SPIT AND WHITTLE CLUB. John
Perkins. Jeff Fisher. Dr. W. N. Sievers.
THE WHITE HEATH
SPIT AND WHITTLE CLUB
Located in the corner of Junction and
Orange streets is a building that has been
there for several years. Many kinds of
business have been located there through
the years.
At the present time located in the
building which has been remodeled is a
pool room and a very good restaurant
owned by Harold and Doris Mansfield
better known as Festus and Kitty.
In front of the building is a Bench. This
Bench replaced a bench that had been
located in the same spot for years. This
was and is a gathering place for men of the
community to sit and visit.
In our research we found a picture of the
original Bench and a poem written in 1940
by a former resident of White Heath about
this Bench. It went like this:
As I sped along the highway,
On that bright and sunny morn
I didn't know I was nearing
The place where I was born.
So I was shocked and quite dumbfounded
When I begun to realize
There was my old home town
Right before my eyes.
I decided to stop in for a bit
to see if there was any change
But I saw not one familiar face
And every thing looked strange.
So I got in the car and prepared to go
I was feeling downhearted and blue
There was really no point in staying here
Where things were so strange and
As I turned the corner and started to leave
Imagine my great surprise
There was the "Spit and Whittle" club
Right before my eyes.
There were "Tom and Dick and Harry"
And maybe a couple more,
They were spitting and whittling leisurely,
In front of the same old store.
It made my fond heart swell with pride,
So I decided to stick around
To think, in all my travels
This familiar scene I'd found.
As I sat down on that wooden bench,
(I am not one to snub)
I decided to spit and whittle a while
With the "Spit and Whittle" club.
"BHR"
Clyde Woods, Marian Dyson. Hank Dyson,
Jack Wood.
DR. HENRIE
Dr. Henrie was among the early
settlers. Not long after he arrived he built
a combination home and office in Block 8
on Commercial street and the building
still stands.
AL'S
DEEP ROCK
Monticello, Illinois
FOR ALL YOUR
LAWN MOWER
AND
GARDEN TRACTOR
NEEDS
John Deere, Toro, Snapper, Gravely
Swisher
Warren's Sinclair
Bondville, 111.
PHONE 863-2746
BOTTLE
BULK
WATER SOFTENER
RENTAL
SERVICE IS OUR BUSINESS
HICKSGAS
MONTICEILO
Phone 762-2104
Powell's
Gulf Service
West Center, Monticello, 111.
Phone 762-7214
e^^
FIRST STATE BANK
OF MONTICELLO, ILL.
You will enjoy our new Drive-In facility
A FULL
SERVICE
BANK'
Member F.D.I.C.
DE KALB
AUCTIONEER
SEED CORN
TIAMAN QUICK
Monticello, Illinois
JERRY MENACHER
Liquidation and Appraisa Is
White Heath, Illinois
Phone 687-5750
WHITE HEATH CLASS OF 1915 - back
row, left to right, Harold Votrain,
deceased: Fred Alexander, deceased; Ab
Flanigan. Tuscola; Orville Grove,
deceased; Guy DeLand. deceased: Homer
Grove, deceased: Helen Taylor Wright,
Monticello; Tessie Clouser Sievers,
Bloomington; Wilma Furnish Claxton,
Monticello: Robert Wrench, deceased;
Leia Votrain Hosier, White Heath; W. K.
Lemme (teacher). 2nd row, I. to r., Edna
Freeman Mitchell, Monticello: Ethel
Alexander Cox, Monticello: Ona Deland,
SCHOOLS OF WHITE HEATH
May 4, 1893 an election was held. White
Heath and Hazel Del Schools were to be
closed. May 14 they authorized a new two
room school building.
June 15 White Heath and Hazel Del were
closed.
On July 12 work began on the new White
Heath School. Many called this The
Academy.
White Heath got two years of high school
deceased; Kenneth Bensyl, deceased:
Charlie Vinson, White Heath; Earl Cox,
deceased: Hassett Smith, deceased;
Jewell Dilsaver, Charleston; Dr. Edwin
Grove, deceased. 1st row, I. to r., Fred
Fisher, White Heath; Dale Alexander,
deceased: Hazel Fisher, White Heath;
Jean Scott Flanigan, Tuscola; Edna
Vinson, Texas: Hazel Plunk Fhelger,
Decatur: Susie Votrain, Peoria: Harold
Smith, Chicago. The class includes grades
3 though 10.
after the Academy was built in 1893.
No doubt their two year high school
reached its zenith under the leadership of
Mr. Alfred Ewington. He was misun-
derstood by the adults and loved by all
students. His favorite subjects were
foreign languages and the sciences. When
he took walks through the Village he
usually read aloud from one of his favorite
books.
Mr. Ewington only taught in White
Heath for three years.
THE SCHOOL REUNION
OF 1912
The Academy, as the school was af-
fectionately called by most of the early
students, meant a lot to many of its former
pupils. Some had graduated and gone on to
college and others had gone into successful
business ventures with no further
schooling.
Three of these decided to have a reunion
of all the students who attended the
Academy during the time from its building
in 1893 to the end of the term in 1903. Those
three were Dr. Ralph Bushee, a dentist in
Monticello; Ona Cline, a successful in-
surance agent in Monticello; and Pat
Hughes, a furniture dealer in Champaign.
With the help of others that had gone to
school at that time they made up a list and
sent tfiem a special invitation. The
following was the invitation.
Monticello, Illinois
July 30, 1912
TO
For sometime there has been a desire
among some of the former pupils of the
White Heath Academy to hold a reunion.
The undersigned, once pupils, now old
men, have taken upon themselves the
liberty of starting the ball.
We have fixed September 14th and 15th
as the date.
On Saturday, September 14th, we will
meet in Cline's Hall to register, talk over
old times and tell of the money that we
haven't made.
On Saturday evening at seven-thirty
O'clock, the ladies of the U.B. and M.E.
churches will serve an excellent banquet
for us, after which all will be given a
chance to 'spell' to their heart's content.
On Sunday an all day picnic will be held
at the "Tank"
We would be pleased to have every
member that attended the White Heath
Academy from the time it was built until
1903. We have taken names from the school
registers, but some years were incomplete
and we are not sure that we have all the
names of the pupils that attended in the
time above mentioned. We enclose a list of
the names to whome we have invitations
and if you know of any omitted, please let
us know at once.
If you have any old pictures, papers or
anything connected with the school that
would be interesting please send or bring
with you when you come.
This will probably be the only
correspondence that we will send out, so
please do not forget the date and be sure to
come.
Please let us hear from you whether or
not you can be present, that arrangements
can be made accordingly. Write to either
of the undersigned.
Dempsey and Bushee
P.S. —This invitation also includes any
human being which you may have
acquired since you were in school.
LIST OF GIRLS
Jennie Bates, Rosetta Dungan, Belle
Dungan Cox, Estella Bushee, Ethel
Goldtrap Stark, Bertha Duvall Ankeny,
Maggie Flanagan, Effie Deland Branch^
Nyra Deland, Stella Furnish, lamo
Williams, Florence Coyle McFetters,
Katie Hughes Mullin, Lola Luscaleet
McDonald, Jennie Wanger.
Cynthia Flanagan, Etta Wright, Rachel
Wrench, Mable Heath Fell. Pearl Bensyl,
Myrtle Bensyl, Ethel Hott. Flossie Mit-
chell, Bessie Deland. Vira Deland Scott,
Linda Deland, Lola Furnish, Maida
Luscaleet, Pearl Luscaleet, Lela Blunt.
May Wrench, Bessie Hughes, Frances
Flanagan, Jessie Mitchell, Bertha
Bradley, Myrtle Mitchell, Eva Scott. Ethel
Bradley Olson, Madge White, Lillian
Heath, Zoe Bachard, Sylvia Duvall,
Florence Rankin, Ruth Dillavou, Grace
Blacker.
Jean Heath, Edna Heath, Grace
Fosnaugh, Lucille Fosnaugh, Letitia
Primmer Brame, Hildred Plunk, Merle
Grady, Blanche Purcell, Ora Heath,
Bessie McDonald, Jessie Mitchell, Delia
Mitchell Fox, Lois Johnson, Pearl Fur-
nish, Treva Grove White.
Grace Wright, Lena Wrench Roberts,
Merle Flanigan, Claudia Henry Capps,
Mayme Hughes MuUin, Minnie Perry
Deland, Nellie Rankin Barker.
LIST OF BOYS
Earl Deland, Roy Cline, Roy Williams,
Thomas Flanigan, John Hughes, Patsy
Hughes, Carl Mitchell, Charles Sawyer,
Ed. Bates, Leonard Luscaleet, William
Bradley, Charles Cox, Newton Luscaleet,
Luther C. Cox, James Hickman.
Clint Vinson, Harley Deland, Wilbur
Primmer, Clark Blacker, George Jones,
George Furnish, Lewis Furnish, Robert
Mullin, Eddie Wishall, Harry Fell, Frank
Unangst, Thomas Mullen, Oscar Furnish,
Cahrles McBride, Walter Wrench.
Corria Cline, Jesse Williams, Clark
Flanigan, Harry Hart, Arthur Fosnaugh,
James Hart, William Bates, Ward Deland,
Claud Flanigan, Fred Bensyl, Fred
Bacherd, Errie Furnish, Roy Rankin,
Homer Wrench, Claude Morris.
Harley Hickman, Jess Cox, Fred Cox,
William Hickman, Arthur McDonald,
Seymour White, Thomas Hughes, Ben-
jamin Mitchell, Henry Mitchell, Clarence
Mitchell, Fred Dwing, Carl Dewing,
Homer Foraker, Lewis Spenser, William
Spenser.
Ralph Bushee, Ona Cline, Calvin Cade,
William Mitchell, Harley Fosnaugh,
William Fosnaugh, James Heath, Arthur
Heath, Lester Nickel, Chester Rankin,
Glenn Deland, Clarence Hughes, Verne
Purcell, Mell Campbell, Grant Olson.
Mell White, Arlie Alexander, Jack
Luscaleet, Harry Groves, John Kirk-
patrick, Webster Plimpton, William
Mitchell, Clater Mitchell, William Coyle,
Alva McDaniels, Frank Wrench, George
Hickman, Harry Plunk, Arthur Bradley,
Charles Bradley
The weather was beautiful and about
three hundred attended. We do not know of
any attempt to have another reunion.
Lalla Hosier
FIRST, Second, Third and Fourth grades
of White Heath School 19,18-1939. Back
Row: Lloyd Unangst, Porter Heath
(deceased) Robinson. 3rd row:
Mrs. Harshbarger, teacher; Curtis Tabor,
Roy Phillips. Ronnie Unangst, Marilyn
Mitchell Hayes, Mary Bernice Alexander
Griffet, Bessie Phillips Nichols. 2nd row:
Deborah Dobbins. Bobby Head. Wesley
Tabor, Charles York (deceased) Betty
Vinson Hayes, Melissa Dobbins Cham-
bers. 1st row: Robinson, Audrey
Vinson Reynolds. Phyllis Alexander
Perkins. Morris Valentine, Maxine Mit-
chell Barnhard, Barbara Richard Ellis,
Nola Mitchell Milton. Romana Valentine.
FIRST. Second, Third and Fourth Grades
of White Heath School 1941-1942. Back row,
left to right: Joyce Koss Ashworth, Audrey
Vinson Reynolds. Deborah Dobbins,
Phyllis Alexander Perkins, Richard
Spurling Dunn, Juanita Beard
Alexander, Teacher: Martha Hurley. 2nd
row: Myra Primmer, Edith York Smith,
Lee Ilia Walden Early, Nola Mitchell
Milton. Ellen Rose Hurley. Betty Chum-
bley. Mary Hurley. Front row: Richard
Heath. Wayne Alexander. Leslie Skeels,
Leonard SpursHng. Ross Mitchell. Chris
Koss. John Claxton.
Jack Wood. Ruth Mitchell, Dorothy Grove,
Leta Cobb, Mrs. Harshbarger, Betty Cobb,
Leiand Lanier, Bill Lyon. Front row:
Marian York, Martha Ann Heath, lona
Vermillion. Hubert Hickman. John
Flanigan. Sandy Vinson, Ellen Lyons.
1
Mf^.
wi
^ ^i ^^
Wf
Uf
m
White Heath School, May Pole Dance 1914.
Left to right: Hazel Plunk, Eda Whitly,
Edna Freeman, Edna Vinson, Wilma
Furnish, Alpha Whitly. Helen Teats. Susie
Votrain, Julia Berry, Jean Scott, Frances
Scott, Ethel Alexander.
Bradford (Brad)
Bowdre. One of
the favorite White
Heath School Bus
drivers.
Girl Scouting
Girl Scouting is relatively new in White
Heath. About ten vears ago. girls in second
and third grades were given the op-
portunity to join the Brownies. Thus began
Troop 246 Brownie Troop with eleven
young ladies under the leadership of Mrs.
Paul Lilly and her assistant Mrs. Gene
Reynolds.
The original troop consisted of Pam and
Dianna Humes; Diane Burke; Deb Har-
per; Debbie Reynolds; Dixie Kelly; Debby
Rhoades; Karen Wood; Sue Lilly; Julie
Olson; Gail Stanley.
Now Scouting offers opportunity for
Brownie age girls whose troop is led by
Mrs. Robert Kallembach who has nine
girls in her troop. A girl scout troop led by
Mrs. Don Rex, Mrs. Leiand Lourash, and
Mrs. Richard Harper, who have 24 active
girls in the troop, and a Cadette troop in
Monticello which several girls joined.
Scouting has given many girls the
chance to jjerform services for others, to
learn how to be a better citizen.as well as a
learning experience, camping or some
other Troop event. The girls have
presented Senior Citizens with Fire
buckets, with home made cookies, and
have offered to serve as errand runners, to
clean up yards, etc. They have gone
camping, had cook-outs, gone swimming
and skating to help the girls to earn
badses.
To help finance their activities, the girls
sell cookies armually.
Mrs Richard Harper (Assistant leader of
Troop 426).
Girl Scout Troop 426 on bike hike with their
leader, Mrs. VeVonne Cresap, adults to
help: Louise Cresap and Judy Harper.
They met at Lodge Park where Dave
Hartsfield gave a talk on the parts and
care of a bike. The girls rode to Buck's
Pond for nature hike. On the way to White
Heath, stopped to see the old Scout cabin,
grist mill, and old cemetery. Those at-
tending were left to right: Beth Harper,
Louise Cresap. Kathy Hartsfield, Becky
Norman. Rose Burton, Susan Cannon,
Janis Rex, Lisa Mumm, Tammy Cresap,
Melinda Kallembach, Penny Day, Robin
Rudisill. Cheryl Rudisill, Linda Lilly,
Kathy Lourash, Judy Harper, YeVonne
Cresap (leader). Kim Vaughn, Diana
Pontious, and Paula Branch.
I HAD THREE NAMES IN
FORTY-EIGHT HOURS
Helen Taylor was one of twelve children
born to Enos Taylor and his wife. When his
wife died, the children had to live with
other families and Helen was taken to
raise in 1904 by the George Teats family.
She was four years old at that time.
Helen lived with the Teats family until
1916 when she was to be married to Charles
Wright. The George Teats had never
adopted her. But when she was to get
married they decided to adopt her just
forty-eight hours before she was married.
So within the forty-eight hours her name
was changed from : Helen Taylor to Helen
Teats and them to Mrs. Charles Wright.
Helen now lives in Monticello.
JELCO
HEATING— COOLING
"We Control The Seasons"
Stewart- Warner Heating — Cooling Products
Natural Gas Furnaces and
Central Air Conditioning Our Specialty
24 Hours Service
WILLIAMSON HUMIDIFIERS
SAVE MONEY-GET OUR BID ON NEW OR REPLACEMENT INSTALLATION.
BANK FINANCE PLAN AVAILABLE
NO MONEY DOWN
Phone 367-8953
Champaign-Urbana Fanchise Dealer
Stewart-Warner Heating — Air Conditioning Products
MACKEY
Funeral Home
Continuous Service
To Community Since
1911.
Ambulance Service
Dial 762-2126.
Congratulations To White Heath
On 100th Anniversary
Monticello, Illinois
For All Your Printing Needs
See The
Fl&TTCOUSn
mmu. * liimixcn
AAonticello, Illinois
Sebens'
Standard Station
Washington and Market
Monticello, III.
Phone 762-9104
Compliments
of
Advertising Committee
Edwin Burton
Irvin Hickman
Martha Ann Stanley
Thanksgiving Day at George DeLand's
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Perry, Mr. and Mrs.
Earl DeLand. Mr. and Mrs. Jake Perry,
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Perry. Mr. and Mrs.
George DeLand, holding Genevieve Perry,
daughter of Jake. Mrs. Steve Perry,
holding Sara Perry, daughter of Jim;
THE DELAND FAMILY
Squire and Hannah (Butler) Deland.
Squire was born on 19th of December 1788
and Hannah was born August 27, 1794.
Squire Deland pursued a common school
education in Rutland, Vermont; then he
entered upon his business career there as a
Wagon maker. He followed the trade until
he left Vermont in the fall of 1837 to live in
Union County Ohio. He then turned his
attention to agricultural pursuits and
purchased a farm of 120 acres which he
operated until his death on the 22nd of
April, 1858,
He married Hannah Butler on December
14, 1809. To them nine children were born:
Amy M., Harrieta, Lucy M., Mariette,
James, Charles, Edward, Hannah, and
George.
James Deland, born August 31, 1821, was
married to Emily Abbott. He came to
Sangamon Township Illinois in 1872. Mr.
Deland and Col. Thomas Snell received a
contract to build a railroad from a junction
on the Monticello rail road to Havana.
On March 15, 1872 Mr. Deland bought 160
acres of land where White Heath is today.
For the next seven or eight years almost
everything done in White Heath was
directly or indirectly connected with
James Deland. The Village of Deland was
named for James.
George Deland was born in Ritland,
Steve Perry holding Robert Perry, son of
Jake: Lula Perry, daughter of Floyde;
Lola Pearl DeLand, daughter of Earl;
Minnie Perry, daughter of Floyd; Harry
Perry, son of Jim; Edward Perry, son of
Jake; Earl Perry, son of Floyde.
Vermont October 19, 1832. In one of the old
schoolhouses in Ohio seated with slab
benches and supplied with other primitive
furnishings George pursued his education
through three months of the winter term.
In the summer he worked with his father
on the farm until he had attained his
majority. He also taught school for three
winter seasons.
In early manhood he was married to
Miss Ellen A. Converse November 3, 1853.
She was the daughter of Darius and Lois
M. Smith Converse.
Mr. and Mrs. Deland rented a farm near
Plain City, Ohio where they lived for about
seven years. He then turned his attention
to merchandising in Churchery, Union
County Ohio in 1860 until the Civil War. He
enlisted on the 16th of August 1862. He
participated in the battle of Champion Hill
and Perryville on the 8th of October 1862,
the Battle of Chickamaugo September 2,
1863, Look Out Mountain November 20,
1863, and the battle of Kenesaw Mountain
on June 22, 1864. In the battle at
Chickamuga he was wounded and for two
months lay in the hospital. Then he
returned to participate in the battle of
Kenesaw Mountain and was wounded
again. He was discharged on the 24th of
February 1865. He was on crutches but
ultimately he obtained a position in a
railroad office at Union City, Indiana. He
worked at this job for two years. After that
he rented a tract of land near Union City
where he resided until 1881 when he came
to White Heath, Illinois. Here he erected a
store building and stocked it with a general
line of goods carrying on the business for
two years. His store was destroyed by fire,
after which he purchased two blocks of
ground in 1885 and began raising small
fruit. In addition he carried the mail on the
rural route in White Heath.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Deland five children
were born: Linda born June 1855, died
October 17, 1859; Ernest who was born
February 2, 1857 was married to Mary E.
Alexander, died August 7, 1896; Edward R.
born March 5, 1862 was married August 10,
1883 to Etta Teats; Lola M. born June 9,
1867, she married B. R. White; Earl born
May 8, 1878 was married February 23, 1901
to Minnie Perry.
Mrs. Mary E. DeLand
Ernest Deland came to White Heath with
his father in 1881. He was married to Mary
E. Alexander. They had eight children:
Harley, Elma, Effie, Harry, Vira, and
Glen.
During the early 80's Ernest opened up a
store on the railroad property. He pur-
chased some of this land in 1883. His
daughter Vira who married Ed. Scott still
makes her home in White Heath.
Edward Deland, brother of Ernest,
worked for the railroad and broke his arm
serving as a brakeman. Because of the
accident he was given a lifetime job with
the railroad. He became station agent at
White Heath. He held this position for
several years.
Votrain Family
Mrs. and Mr. Leon Votrain, Susie
Seymour, Bonnie Greathouse, Lalla
Hostler, Fern Smith, Olive Seymour.
NOBLE PORTER HEATH II
Noble Porter Heath II was born on
August 3, 1875, the third child and first son
of Noble Porter Heath I who was born in
Ross County Ohio in 1839 and came to Piatt
County Illinois in 1840.
His mother, Elizabeth Hevel was born in
1836 in what was then a settlement known
as Charleston. Mrs. Hevel was previously
married and after her husband and only
two children as well as her parents died in
an epidemic, she moved to Centerville
where she taught school for several years.
Heath's paternal grandfather, David
Heath, moved to Piatt County several
families from pickaway and Ross Counties
Ohio because of the rich farmland.
David Heath returned to Ohio the
following winter after settling in Piatt to
collect notes from the sale of his estate. He
never returned.
The family suspected that he had met
with foul play. They were told later by a
stranger passing through that David
Heath had died of pneumonia and that he
had bufled him with all the money he had
in his possession.
Heath's father, a self-educated man,
raised cattle and horses. When the
railroad began making plans to come
through Piatt County in the early 1870's,
the land where White Heath now stands
was owned by Frank White.
White had a disagreement with the
railroad and did not want to sell his land
for right of way outright to the company
but did not want to hold up progress in the
community.
He sold the land to Porter Heath I who in
turn sold the right of way to the railroad.
Hence the town of White Heath was
named.
Heath I bought the land in 1870 for about
25 dollars per acre and built a large house
in 1879. It burned to the ground in 1895
when a careless farmhand tossed a match
into a cob basket.
The home now standing was built in 1896
on the same site.
The farm once had the largest barn in
Piatt County. It was built in 1883 and was
destroyed by fire in 1945.
Noble P. Heath II took over the farm
after his father died. The livestock was
sold and the operation was changed to a
grain farm.
In 1902 Heath married Nell Ambrose of
Champaign. They had one daughter,
Elizabeth Heath Alexander Stutzenstein,
now living in Decatur.
From 1910 to 1925, Heath operated a
dairy farm than known as the Elms Dairy
Farm. In 1911, his first wife died and he
and his daughter moved in with his mother
and sister, Lillian.
In 1926 he married Frances Scott, who
died in 1930. The second marriage
produced two children: Martha Ann and
Porter Heath III.
Heath and his two children then made
their home with his sister and her
husband, George Haines.
In 1933 and 34 Heath worked at the Piatt
County Farm Bureau with the wheat
program. Following his sister's death in
1939, he married Mabel Smith of Mon-
ticello and again moved back to his home.
Mabel died in 1947.
Heath was active in the Methodist
Church of Monticello for many years. He
taught Sunday School classes, was
delegate to the Illinois Conference, was a
charge lay leader for 10 years, served on
the official board and board of trustees
many years and held the office of
treasurer for 25 years.
In 1962, he and his daughter and family
were chosen by the Monticello Methodist
Church "Family of the Year."
Heath was an active member of the
White Heath Community Club. He helped
in the construction of the present Club
Building in 1944 and was a member of the
band.
During World War II he was home
service chairman for the American Red
Cross Piatt County Chapter.
He was a member of the Monticello High
School board of directors at the time of
construction of the present building.
His hobby was binding books.
Until his death he had living with him
besides his daughter and her husband and
their daughters, Paula, Gail, Colleen and
Teresa; his son's two children, Karen and
Noble Porter Heath IV. His son Noble
Porter Heath III and his wife died in 1959.
He had three other grandchildren:
Richard Alexander, Noel Alexander, and
Nell Beadles. He had eight great great
grandchildren.
Noble Porter Heath II died October 24,
1968 age 93.
John McDowell White
Family History
John M. White, the first of the family to
come to Piatt County, was born in
Franklin county, Ohio, Jan. 27th, 1817. He
was the sixth generation directly
descending from Peregrin White who was
born Nov. 20, 1620, on the Mayflower as it
stood in Cape Cod Harbor.
In 1843 John M. White was married to
Jane Huffman who died in 1845, leaving
two children, Ophelia and Frank, who was
owner of the land purchased for White
Heath.
In 1849 John M. White married Rebecca
H. Williams. Six children were born to this
union; Benjamin R., Vincent I., Sara
White Calef, John M. White and Mary
(Mayme) White Williams.
In the fall of 1864, John M. White moved
his family to Piatt County, Illinois. He
purchased 280 acres in Sangamon
Township. The home farm is now being
operated by Ralph Manuel and Ruby
White Manuel, a great grandaughter of
John M. The Harry Perry family live on
another part of the original farm, and Mr.
Perry is a great grandson of John M. Lois
and James Bell reside on another tract of
the original farm. Lois is a great gran-
daughter. Eighty acres, farmed by Walter
White and owned by Francis White, is also
a portion of the acreage p"rchased in 1864.
They, too, are great grandsons of John M.
White.
Many great grandchildren and one
grandchild live in the area who are
grandchildren of Benjamin White.
Mrs. Eva Chapel, Monticello. 111., is the
youngest daughter of Vincent I. White and
Lois Cain Bell, previously mentioned, is
his grandaughter.
THE CLINE FAMILY
John and Letitia Cline were natives of
Ohio, coming from Pickaway County, that
state, to Illinois at an early day. They
entered a claim from the government,
thereby becoming the owner of a tract of
land in Piatt County and in the course of
years they improved about eight hundred
acres. He aided largely in the progress of
county and this section of the state
acknowledged its indebtedness to him for
the work which he performed in advancing
civilization here. His death occurred on the
25th of March 1860 when he was living upon
his farm two miles northeast of White
Heath that is where White Heath now
stands. His wife, born April 7, 1817, lived
on the farm for many years after his
death. She had six children to raise.
Jacob H. Cline was born in Sangamon
Township August 25, 1851. He was the fifth
child to be born to John and Letitia. When
small he became a student in a little
schoolhouse that stood where the White
schoolhouse stood later about a half mile
north of where White Heath is today. Later
he attended the Hazel Del school. His
education was somewhat limited for it was
necessary that he should assist his mother.
He was only nine years of age when his
father died. He lived at home until
nineteen years of age when he married and
started a life of his own. It was on the 13th
of February 1870 that he married Miss
Josephine Knott, (the daughter of a
Centerville doctor).
J. H. Cline's share of his father's estate
was then under vontrol of the second
guardian, S. R. Reed, of Monticello.
Mr. Cline took his bride to his farm and
continued its cultivation for two or three
years. He then traded the property with his
younger brother Ezra Cline and in the 2nd
or 3rd transfer he came into possession of
the home farm which he cultivated for two
years. He then traded that property with
John A. Flanagan and became the owner
of 120 acres of land near White Heath. He
erected a new house, built a barn, planted
an orchard, and made other improve-
ments.
Mr. Cline was born and raised a staunch
Democrat. But he was converted to
Republicanism before his 21st birthday. He
was elected Supervisor in 1883. In 1906 he
was elected County Treasurer.
He bought Mr. Charles Smith's store.
Soon after gaining possession of the store
he was appointed postmaster.
Mr. Cline combined the Post Office and
store which was largely a grocery with a
small line of drygoods and shoes. He was
always a very congenial man. Frank
Wrench stated he could never understand
how Mr. Cline could be so patient with the
stream of school children who came for the
mail after each train came in. At that time
they always had at least four mails each
day.
Outside of politics he had few criticizers.
Mr. Cline became the owner of Smith's
Hall over his store, and he remodeled it
soon after by placing a stairway on the
outside. After that it was labeled Cline's
Hall.
Ona Cline, his son, organized Cline's
band in 1895.
THE FURNISH FAMILY
Samuel Furnish was one of the oldest
settlers of Piatt County. He was born in
Kentucky in 1822 and was only two years
old when he accompanied his parents on
their removal to this locality. He made his
home here until his death which occurred
in 1869. He cleared and broke a large
amount of land which was originally
covered with heavy growth of timber and
became the owner of considerable
property though prior to his death he
disposed of much of it, though he still
retained about 160 acres. He was educated
in an old log schooohouse such as is
generally found in a pioneer settlement
and in his younger days drove cattle from
this county to New York City where prices
were enough better to pay him for so
doing. He married Miss Catherine Coon, a
daughter of Henry and Ruth Clemens
Coon, who were from Ohio. They had six
children: James, John, George, William,
Charles, and Frank.
John C. Furnish received a common
school education beginning his studies in
what was known as the Hughes
schoolhouse which was a log structure
with puncheon floors, slab seats and a desk
made by placing boards on wooden pins
driven into the wall. During the early
residence of the family in this state, deer
were known to have eaten salt out of the
troughs his father had fixed for the cattle
and horses and all kinds of wild game were
then abundent. He aided his father in the
cultivation of the farm. After his father
died he worked out for one season. Then he
returned home and took charge of the farm
until the estate was settled. It was noted
that he raised melons. He would plant 10 to
12 acres of melons. He really made White
Heath famous for its good melons.
On April 30, 1874 Mr. Furnish was
married to Miss Cynthia Blacker, a
daughter of Guston and Ann Blacker. To
this union eleven children were born:
George, Frank, Lewis, Oscar, Errie,
Ollie, Stella, Lola, Pearl, and Wilma. One
child died in infancy.
THE TIPPETT FAMILY
Cumberland Tippett's birth occurred in
Licking County Ohio about the year 1834.
He was a merchant and also devoted some
time to farming and to preaching the
gospel as a local minister.
He became an early settler of White
Heath and his influence for good was
widely felt. In his ministerial capacity he
was called upon to perform the marriage
ceremony of many couples in Piatt and
adjoining counties. He was ever the friend
of progress, reform and improvement, and
his influence was ever given on the side of
right and justice. His death was oc-
casioned by accident on October 2, 1875 at
which time he fell from an apple tree. Mr.
Tippett had two children: Florence M.,
and James C.
Florence became a doctor. She was
married to Dr. B.C. Duvall.
James C. Tippitt was reared and
educated at White Heath. He went to the
University of Illinois in Urbana and then
returned to his home and engaged in
farming and stock raising, making a
specialty of feeding hogs and cattle. He
continued farming until May 1900 when he
was nominated on the Republican ticket to
the office of Circuit Clerk and was elected
the following fall.
On the 5th of October 1898 occurred the
marriage of Mr. Tippitt and Mattie
Jamison. Mr. Tippitt became interested in
the newspaper business, and became
publisher of a Monticello paper. His son,
Darrell Tippitt, followed into the
newspaper business and owned the Piatt
County Republican until he sold it. After
which he was Managing Editor of the
newspaper Piatt County Journal-
Republican. He just recently retired from
the paper and has a state job.
Charles Mitchell Family
Charles. Ada, Carl. Floss. Jesse, and Reg.
Carl V. Mitchell family
Tessie, Lynn, George. Ross. Glenn.
THE FISHER FAMILY
John Fisher, a native of Frederick
County Virginia, was born on the 9th day of
August 1808. He obtained a common school
education in the old Doninion. In 1836 he
was united in marriage to Miss Clme and
in 1839 they moved to Piatt County Illmois.
This being then a frontier region m which
the work of progress and improvement
had been scarcely begun. For miles
stretched the wild prairie unclaimed and
unimproved. Mr. Fisher took up his abode
upon a tract of land and developed a farm
which continued to be his home for four-
teen years. In the early days he and his
family endured many hardships and trials
incident to pioneer life. He broke the
prairie with one of the old-time plows,
driving an oxen team. He raised wheat and
corn for market. He hauled his wheat to
Chicago for there was only one other flour
mill, and this was in Springfield, but prices
were better in Chicago. He first made the
trip with oxen teams and later by horse
teams. His wheat sold for thirty-seven and
a half cents per bushel, while pork brought
one dollar and fifty cents per hundred
weight. He harvested his wheat and corn
with a sickle and shocked it all by hand.
The home was a log cabin. After a few
years Mr. Fisher purchased a farm of 340
acres on which he resided until his death
April 11, 1863. His wife died on May 11, 1849
at the advanced age of 83. Their children
were: Jacob, George W., Mary Ann, John,
Martha, Sarah Malissa, Hiram, David,
James, Serelda C, Margaret and Ezra.
Jacob Fisher received his education in
the public school system of Piatt County.
He gained his lessons sitting upon a slab
bench in a log schoolhouse and wrote
exercises upon a plank desk. There were
puncheon floors and old fashioned
fireplaces.
Mr. Fisher worked upon his father's
farm and attended school when he could.
He was the eldest of twelve children so he
was needed to help on the farm so his
educational privileges were, therefore,
hmited.
He was married to Mary Ann Morse, a
daughter of Henry Morse, of Mahomet. At
the time of his marriage Mr. Fisher began
farming upon his father's land and thus
engaged until two years after his father's
death. He then purchased land of his own,
a part of the Cline tract, and continued
farming until 1898 when he rented the
place and moved to White Heath. Around
1901 he sold his farm to William Alexander
and purchase a house and a half block of
land in the Village.
THE FOSNAUGH FAMILY
Ezra and Eliza Bushee Fosnaugh were
natives of Fairfield County Ohio and in the
year 1856 came to Illinois. They journeyed
westward by wagon to Macoupin County
where they remained one winter and then
continued on their way to Piatt County.
Here he carried on agricultural pursuits
near where White Heath is today until his
death, which occurred on the 1st of Oc-
tober 1873 when he was 50 years of age. He
and his wife had eight children: Austin,
Selina, Theodore, Elifus, Europe L., Dora
Alice, Laura Belle, and Erwin.
Europe L. Fosnaugh pursued a common
school education in the Prairie Dell School.
His studies were pursued through the
winter months while during the summer
he worked with his father on the farm. He
entered upon an independent business
career as a farm hand, working for $18 per
month. He continued in that way for about
four years. He next rented a farm which he
cultivated for a year. He then accepted a
clerkship in his brother's store in Lane,
Dewitt County where he remained for
three years. Then he rented a farm for one
season and then embarked in business for
himself as a proprietor of a pool and
billard hall in Tolono, Illinois. He con-
ducted it for three years and on selling it
took charge of his brother's store in Lane.
There continuing as a merchant for 15
years, when he purchased the store in
White Heath. He carried a large and well
selected line of dry goods, boots, shoes,
and groceries. He also rented and con-
ducted a hotel in White Heath.
On the 23rd of March 1874 Eruope
married Miss Ida J. Graham. To this union
six children were born: Harlie, Garah,
Grace Jane, Lucile, William, and Leota.
THE TEATS FAMILY
Mathias and Mary Puffinbarger Teats.
He was a native of Ross County Ohio, born
August 11, 1818 and was a shoemaker. He
married in Ross County Ohio in 1840 and in
1856 he moved with his family to Piatt
County Illinois taking up his abode upon a
farm near the land where White Heath was
later built. The farm was where the Camp
Creek Cemetery is today. Unto him and his
wife were born five children: Maria
Louisa, Mary Elizabeth, Caroline Marian,
Jane, and George W. . , .
George W. Teats was born in Adelphi,
Ross County Ohio on the 30th day of August
1854 and came to Sangamon Township
Illinois with his parents in 1856. He was
educated in the common school, attended
Camp Creek School through the winter
months and worked upon his father's farm
in the summer.
George W. continued with his father
until October 29, 1886 when he was united
in marriage to Miss Barbara E. Trotter, a
daughter of Hiram and Lydia Maria
Allman Trotter, of Champaign County.
Mr. and Mrs. Teats had a daughter, Lydia,
who was born January 16, 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Teats began their domestic
life upon the Plunk farm which he rented
for two years and afterwards rented the
Jehu Trotter farm which was their home
for the same length of time. They moved to
Nebraska but only lived there one season
then returned to Piatt County. Mr. Teats
purchased of W. P. Smith 30 acres of land
in Sangamon Township. He operated it for
several years. He then moved to White
Heath where he engaged in the livery
business and in carpentering for 4 years.
He purchased 10 acres of land within the
town limits and in September 1902 bought 9
acres upon which he raised fruits, in-
cluding pears of all kinds and also
peaches, plums and cherries. He made a
specialty of strawberries and black-
berries. He and his family lived in a nice
home only a short distance from the center
of White Heath.
Nora Hickman
THE HICKMAN FAMILY
William Hickman came to White Heath
in 1855 with his wife and nine children and
lived there until his death in 1880. One son
was killed in the civil war. The other
children were: Elizabeth, Louisa, Maraia,
Susan, Martha, Emma, John, and Harvey.
Harvey married Maria Teats and they
had ten children: Franklin, Maggie,
Elizabeth, Mary, Jennice, Charles, Sarah,
George, James and William.
William married Nora Sprinkle and had
three children: Irvin, Roscoe, and Opel.
Irvin married Margaret Pyle and had
one son; Hubert.
Roscoe married Florence Pitson and
had one daughter: Juanita.
Opel married Roy Vermillion and had
two children: Roscoe and lona.
Hubert, son of Irvin, married Stella
Cody and had two children: Sheila and
Pamela.
There has been four generations
graduated from the White Heath School.
Irvin served for several years as Town
Clerk of Sangamon Township, and also
school board member Hubert is now
serving as school board member.
THE BUSHEE FAMILY
Jacob and Elizabeth Gettings Bushee
were natives of Pennsylvania. He was
born in 1787, They moved to Ohio where he
engaged in farming until his death. They
had seven children.
Jesse Bushee, son of Jacob, was born in
Fairfield County Ohio on the Uth of Sep-
tember 1840. He spent the first 16 years of
his life in Fairfield County until his
mother's death in 1852. His education was
acquired in the local school. His school of
learning was a log structure with pun-
cheon floor, slab benches, and was greased
paper windows. On starting out in his life
for himself, he worked as a farm hand by
the month until 1856 when he decided to
come to Illinois, and by team journeyed
with his brother-in-law, Ezra Fosnaugh,
across the country to Macoupin County. It
required about six weeks to make the trip.
There Mr. Bushee engaged in splitting
rails for about six months and then came
to Piatt County, where he worked on a
farm until the Civil War. He enlisted for
three months. After five months in the
Army he returned home and rented a part
of the George Boyer farm which he
operated until August 13, 1862 when he
entered the army again.
He was in the March from Glasgow,
Kentucky through Ohio and Indiana to
Ironton where they captured General
Morgan and his army.
Mr. Bushee was taken ill at Atlanta and
sent to the hopsital at Marietta, Georgia.
On his recovery he was granted a furlough
and returned home. Later he rejoined his
regiment and was in all of the
engagements from Atlanta to Resaca, the
battle of Buzzard Roost, Kenesaw
Mountain and many others. He was
mustered out at the close of the war in the
spring of 1865.
After his return home Mr. Bushee
resumed farming on Benjamin F.
Cressip's place. But shortly after his
marriage in 1866 he moved to the Jehu
Trotter farm where he spent two years.
For one year he made his home in
Champaign County then returned to Piatt
County operating the Charles Smith farm
for two years. He next farmed on property
adjoining White Heath on a farm owned by
the firm of White and Heath. He remained
there until 1890. He then bought a nice little
home in the Village and 3'>< acres of land at
the edge of town.
On the 2nd of September 1866 Mr. Bushee
was united in marriage to Miss Matilda
Jane Teats. She was a sister of George W.
Teats of White Heath. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Bushee were born five children: Mary
Elizabeth, Carrie J., Jessie, Estella, and
Ralph W.
Ralph W. Bushee later became a dentist.
James Clinton Vinson
Wh. James Clinton Vinson
First Community Club President; wife,
Bess White Vinson.
James "Clint" Vinson was born March
6, 1876 in White Heath. He was the son of
Urias and Eliza Roland Vinson, two of the
early pioneer Piatt County settlers. His
parents coming here from Delaware in
1847.
For many years "Clint" farmed the
family farm north of White Heath. On
June 9, 1918 he married Bess White, who
was born April 23, 1880 in Seymour, the
daughter of Benjamin and Sara Seymour
White, also two prominent Piatt and
Champaign County pioneer families. The
couple had an infant daughter, Mary Ann,
who died at birth.
Mr. Vinson was an active civic leader in
the community. He became the first
president of the White Heath Community
Club when the club organized in 1944. He
also served as a Justice of the Peace for
Sangamon Township, an active Democrat
for many years. "Clint" devoted much of
his retirement working for community
betterment.
His wife, Bess White Vinson, was also an
active member of the White Heath
Community Club as well as the AUerton
Chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution. Both were members of the
Royal Neighbors of America Fern Camp
145. Mr. Vinson was one of the Modern
Woodman.
Mr. Vinson died July 7, 1957 and Mrs.
Vinson October 7, 1966.
Wedding picture 1909
Mr. and Mrs. Park Blacker
Park Blacker, son of F.D. Blacker and
Melissa Honselman Blacker, and Flossie
Mitchell, daughter of Charles R. and Ada
Heath Mithcell, were married Feb. 24th,
1909 in Springfield, 111. by Rev. 0.0. In-
man, a former pastor of the U.B. Church in
White Heath. They spent their early
married life in the New York School
district but moved in 1914 to their farm
home near White Heath.
Their children are Mary Bradbury of
Rochelle, 111. and John Blacker of White
Heath. A son Geo. Stanley Blacker died in
1924.
A grandson, Stanley L. Blacker, a
student at E.I.U. Charleston, 111., resides
at White Heath.
AA^^AAA^A^^^^^^^kAA^^^^^^^^M^^^'^^^^WWM^^W^^^WW^^^A^MVN^M^^MVWMSAA^^MAAA^^^^^'
MRS. LOU BLACKER
Mrs. Lou Blacker was born Louisa Jane
Lanier on February 22, 1869, daughter of
John and Elizabeth Heflin Lanier of
Versailles.
Following graduation from Versailles
public schools Miss Lanier came to Lodge
where she learned telegraphy from her
brother Eugene.
After eight month training, she was
assigned as an operator at Lodge station.
It was during this time, while
corresponding with area stations, that
Miss Lanier became acquainted with
Joseph S. Blacker who was an operator at
White Heath.
After they were married, the couple's
first home was in Weldon. From there they
went to Mason City, later to Monticello,
and then to Lewistown where Blacker
operated a variety store.
In May of 1939, Mr. and Mrs. Blacker
and Mrs. Dobson, Mrs. Slacker's sister,
settled in White Heath.
Active in church work, Mrs. Blacker,
Mrs. Betty Kelley and Mrs. James Hicks
were instrumental in the organization of
the old Christian Church of Monticello.
In the early 1940's, Lou, as she was
known to her friends and Mrs. Dubson
organized the first Community Club.
The annual homecoming, known as the
"Chatauguas" in early days was begun by
Mrs. Blacker's husband, who for many
years was the master of ceremonies.
In 1943 Mr. and Mrs. Blacker celebrated
their golden wedding anniversary. He died
in 1958. The only son, Curtis Blacker lives
in Norris City.
One granddaughter, Sally Lou Griffith,
and a great granddaughter, Lisa, live in
San Leandro, California.
Mrs. Lou Blacker died July 22, 1966 at
the age of 96.
Perry Family
Stephen A. Perry and his wife, Lucinda,
with their three small children, Minnie,
Floyd and James, came to lUinois, from
Virginia, in 1884, to make their home, and
settled at DeLand, on the Bondurant farm.
They farmed there until 1897, when they
packed up their farming equipment,
livestock, and household goods on a freight
train, and moved to Leeper, Missouri, with
the intention of buying a farm there.
Arriving there, they found the relative of
Mrs. Perry, who had moved there, to be
suffering with some sort of ailment, chills,
fever, etc.. and Mr. Perry decided that he
didn't want to live in a climate that ef-
fected the health in that way. so he im-
mediately returned to Leeper, without
even unpacking his equipment, household
goods, etc., and returned to DeLand, to the
same farm he had been living on. They
stayed on that farm for a year or two, and
then moved to the McCann farm southeast
of White Heath. They farmed this farm
until 1910, when they again packed up their
goods, household material, etc., and again
moved to Missouri, (this time to DeSoto)
where they bought a farm and made their
home until 1917, when again they moved
back to Illinois, living for a while in a
house in White Heath, and then to the
Alexander farm, for a year or two, until
they bought a small farm, near White
Heath. By this time they were too old to do
much farming, and having their family
raised, decided it was time to take it a little
easy.
They lived on this little farm for several
years, and then decided to move once
more, this time to a small farm on Camp
Creek, where they cleared the land and,
with the help of their son, Walter, built a
house, a barn, etc., and here they
remained until their deaths in 1942. Mr.
Perry died in November of 1942, and Mrs.
Perry in December of that same year, just
six weeks after her husband had passed
away, he being 88 years old and she 89.
They were exceedingly honest and
honorable, a hard working. Christian
couple. They are buried in the cemetery at
DeLand, on the large lot given to them by
Mr. Bondurant when they lost a small son
in infancy, while they were living near
DeLand.
Mr. and Mrs. Perry were the parents of
eight children, Mrs. Minnie (Perry)
DeLand, wife of Earl E. DeLand; Floyd;
James; Mrs. Pearl (Perry) Vivrett, wife
of George Vivrett; Jake; George; Walter;
and a son who died in infancy while they
lived at DeLand. The only survivors are
George and Walter. With the exception of
Pearl, the children all spent most of their
lives in and around Monticello and White
Heath. Pearl was a resident of DeSoto, Mo.
daughter of one of our founders Noble
Porter Heath I, lived a mile south from
the east end of our village. Everyone who
knew this couple will testify to their
wonderful help to the church and com-
munity.
George was Supervisor of Sangamon
Township for many years and held a fifty
year pin for his work in the Red Cross
Chapter of the community. He was a fire
trustee ever since the fire department
started in White Heath.
Lillian was devoted to devine worship
and service. She was a friend to young
people. She was earnest and sincere. We
are sure there are many who knew her in
the years before and after the church
closed in White Heath and the membership
moved to Monticello will never forget her.
The White Heath Methodist Church was
the old Camp Creek Church which was
moved to White Heath — mentioned in
another article in this book.
GEORGE AND LILLIAN HAINES, JR.
George who married Lillian Heath, a
FRANK WRENCH
Frank was born north of White Heath on
a farm. His father, William Wrench, and
mother, Louisa Jane Mounce Wrench, had
eleven children, eight boys and three girls.
Frank was a teacher in Piatt County and
was county superintendent of schools for a
number of years.
Without Frank's help in giving much of
the history of our little village, we, the
committee, feel this book would not have
come into being.
The committee wishes to give Frank a
big thank you for his help.
In memory of our brother, George C. Haines, Jr.
By Verta Barber, Bertha Sievers,
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Kelly and Chester Haines
A. J. Flanigan, Jean Flanigan and
grandson. Greg.
Jean Scott, youngest daughter of Lee
and Eva Harmon Scott was born August
10. 1902 near White Heath. After the death
of her mother in February 1906 she went to
live with Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Blacker.
She attended school at Slabtown until 1913
when the Blackers moved to White Heath
and she attended school there and finished
high school at Monticello.
Albert Flanigan ( better known as "Ab")
youngest son of Frank and Laura
Whitefoot Flanigan was born September 6,
1895 near White Heath. He attended
Prairie Dell and later White Heath school.
He served in World War I and spent six
months overseas.
On November 20, 1920 Jean and "Ab"
were married at Hoopeston, Illinois by
Rev. A. S. Flanigan, an uncle of Mr.
Flanigan. The lived in White Heath and
ran a garage for several years, then added
a hardward store and implement business
and later a grocery.
Six sons and one daughter were born to
them with five sons still living. The three
oldest sons were born at White Heath.
They are: Charles of Decatur, 111. ; John of
Toronto, Canada; Andrew of Fresno,
Calif; Philip of Denver, Colo. ; and William
of Allentown, Pa. There are sixteen
grandchildren.
In 1935 they sold out and moved to
Tuscola, Illinois and were in the im-
plement business for a number of years.
The are semi-retired and spend much of
their time traveling and visiting their
children.
NAMED TOWN
N. P. Heath, the Father of Noble Heath
we all knew, was known as Porter Heath
and was the one who named half the town.
He never lived in White Heath but he was
less than a mile away. You can hardly find
a general news item from White Heath
without something being said about Porter
Heath.
Mr. Heath and Mr. Teats and Mr. Mc-
Cann were strong supporters of Camp
Creek Church which was located a mile
south of White Heath.
Frank and Laura Flanigan
1920
Clyde Oates and daughter Donna.
Clyde went to White Heath on November
1942 and worked as and agent and operator
until August 1943. Left here to go to service
in August 1943 to January 1946. He moved
back March 1946; was agent until
February 1969. At this time they closed
depot.
Pontious Family
Mr. and Mrs. Pontious and family
moved to the White Heath Community in
August 1968 when they bought the George
Haines Farm. They have a son Richard
who is serving in the air force. Bill, who
attends Monticello High School, and twins
Dennis and Diana, in 6th grade at White
Heath,
The family raise strawberries. They also
have an Apiary, and are planning to sell
Christmas trees in a few years. They are
an ambitious family as you can see, and
we wish them success in all their en-
deavors.
Four generations: Joe Bensyl, Myrtle
Bensyl Wilkey. Ruth Wilkey Beebe, Ruth
Ann Beebe.
Homer Wrench, Jim Hickman, Frank
Unangst.
Leia Luscaleet, Mrs. Koss. Rachel Vance,
Flossie Blacker, May Bell, Rachel Cox,
Lalla Hosier. Mrs. Woods, Mrs. Eva
Perry, B. Tabor.
McCLURE
MOTORS, INC.
Chrysler- Ply mouth- Dodge- Dodge Trucks
American Motors
301 S. Charter
Phone 762-2139
MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS
Donn Piatt d-b-a
Burgess & Cline
INSURANCE
OF ALL KINDS
MONTICELLO, ILL.
762-2165
Jack Treat Drywall Construction
509MacArthur, Urbana, Illinois
Phone 328-2753
CHELNETT OIL CO.
AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR WORK
BRAKE AND WHEEL BALANCING SERVICE
GASOLINE OILS LUBRICATION
MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS
HAILSTORM STRIKES
WHITE HEATH
March Ul, 19B6
A brief afternoon hailstorm struck White
Heath Monday causing several thousand
dollars damage to almost every house in
the town.
"It started with a hugh black cloud in the
south and was preceded by a thun-
derstorm," said Glen Harper, manager of
the elevator which received the most
damage.
The storm, which marred the first day of
spring, caused damage to roofs on all but
four houses in the community of 210, ac-
cording to Harper. There are about 40
houses in White Heath.
Damage estimate at the grain elevator
was more than $2,000.
The storm struck at 1:30 p.m. and lasted
about twenty minutes, dropping stones
reported to be larger than an inch in
diameter.
Harper said electricity went out during
the thunderstorm at 1:05 p.m., but it was
restored in a short time.
Everyone in the community was won-
dering what hit them when the storm
struck. Harper said, "I didn't realize so
much damage could be done in that short
time."
Harper said the storm began about a
half mile southwest of White Heath, struck
White Heath and headed into the Seymour
area. No damage was reported there.
The hail fell perpendicular to the
ground. "That's why there was so much
damage to roofs." Thank goodness there
was little wind so most of the windows
were spared.
Harper said every building at the
elevator was damaged as was his nearby
home.
The Old Homestead Antique shop here
was another business which was heavily
damaged by the hail.
THE BIG STORM OF 1904
On March 24, 1904 began as a typical
spring day. The wind increased as the day
grew warmer. Soon after dusk the wind
began to subside and signs of rain began to
appear in west.
About 8 p.m. there was a noise as of
many trains. The noise lasted less than a
minute, then all you could hear was the
sound of falling rain. People went to their
doors and as there were no street lights,
nothing could be seen. When daylight
came we may quote the poet and say that,
"They looked upon a world unknown."
Let us read it as it was reported by the
papers at that time.
"The village of White Heath was visited
by a tornado at 8:45 P.M., last Thursday
night which did emmense damage, and
was the most serious storm that every
visited our County.
The storm was first felt at John Heath's
farm along the Illinois Central track south
west of town. It next struck the fine new
elevator, belonging to the Murray Grain
Co. whose great height was a splended
mark for its power. The building was
broken off just about the dump, and fell to
the North away from the tracks and on a
space on which fortunely there were no
building. The elevator was broken and
crushed. There was no grain in the
elevator as it had not been built long.
The William's Hotel was blown to ruins,
and here again good fortune reigned for
the hotel had no occupants. The Univer-
salist Church, one block north of the depot
next received the force of the storm and
was totally demolished. Aside from the
roof, no two pieces were joined togather or
so it seemed.
The Methodist Church east of the depot,
had its roof completely removed and the
debris from the east and west sides of the
roof fell on either side of Esq. Deland's
residence with out doing it injury,
although a piece of rafter penetrated a
post in the yard, another case of good
fortune.
Deland's store was moved off its base
and other buildings were unroofed and
barns and out buildings wrecked but the
residences in general were only slightly
touched. Several were removed from their
foundation.
The storm followed the railroad and
moved and nearly wrecked the Teat's
home occupied by the Reason Combs
recently returning from Iowa. The family
at once left the house by the windows as
the doors could not be opened, and spent
the night in town.
H. L. Timmon's farm near the railroad
was severlly visited, injury to the house,
barn and crib amounting to several
hunderd dollars. On the Fisher and
Caldwell farms some damage was done
but this seemed to be the limit of the storm
damage.
The loss in dollars is not known but it
must be very high. There was but little
tornado insurance in the town. Both
Churches are said to have such clauses in
their policies but the elevator did not.
Mr. Murray has already begun to clear
away for another elevator and the other
buildings will be rebuilt, or most of them
will-
God must have looked after the people in
White Heat that night. Although there was
hardly a house in town that was no
damaged and many of the smaller out-
buildings were completely demolished, not
a single person received an injury, and the
storm was so unexpected and was of short
duration, no one had time to get scared.
But the young village like a young
person soon recovered from its adversity.
The debris was removed from the streets.
The damaged dwelling houses were
repaired. The two Churches were restored
and made more serviceable. The elevator
was replaced. White Heath had passed its
31st birthday.
Looking Back
Cora Curtis
In 1888 — I was six years old
There were no Airplanes, no
automobiles. No Electricy, no gas, no
phones, no Funeral Homes. People got sick
and died at home and had funerals at
home. No imbalming, no Hospitals,
Kerosene Street lights to be lighted every
nite. Board sidewalks, no paving of roads
or streets. Sprinkled streets in City with
water-wagons. No restaurants, cooked all
foods and pastrys at home. Everybody
burnt coal, wood and cobs in coal heaters
and kitchen ranges.
No washmachines, rubbed clothes on
washboard . No bathrooms, all outside
toilets. Water in yard pump. No linoleun on
floors. Horse-drawn Street cars.
Sewed carpet rags and had them woven
in carpets. No moving pictures. Just well-
to-does sent children to H.igh School.
School teachers go $35.00 a month for
teaching. No married women worked
away from home, no married women could
teach school.
No nursing homes. People took care of
their old folks in their home.
Everybody ground their coffee and
boiled it in tin coffee pots. No alumon-ware
kitchen utencels; just tin and iron. Het
irons on stoves to iron clothes.
Babies nursed their mother's breasts, no
women smoked. All wore hats, slippers in
summer and high buttoned shoes in
winter. Mothers knit mittens, sox, scarfs,
and such and stockings for winter.
I remember board side walks in Cham-
paign.
Women never wore men's clothes.
Dresses to ankles or lower. No bobbed
hair, no lawn mowers, used cythes. No
mail R.R. deliveries till 1903.
No washing powders, (bar soap and lye)
(no) bathtowels or wash rags. No ready
made dresses till about 1916. No
oleomargerin, no shortening but lard or
butter. No. T.V.'s, Radios, Refrigerators.
No women alowed in Taverns, (saloon,
then).
In 1972 — The United States Made their
5th landing on the moon.
White Heath
Centennial
1872 to 1972
Carl Buckley, Our Postmaster
POST OFFICE
White Meam lU.
John Blacker
OUR POSTMEN
Postmaster Carl Buckley and rural mail
carrier John Blacker are pictured in front
of the White Heath Post Office. Since
Blacker's appointment to the mail carrier
position on June 6, 1949, his route has
grown from 25 to an 80 mile length. Since
1964, he has also delivered mail out of the
Mansfield Post Office. For several years
Mr. Blacker had the distinction of serving
the longest mail route in the United States.
Several of his present mail patrons are the
children and grandchildren of the people
he started with in 1949. In addition, he has
also delivered some very important letters
to many famous beings such as Santa
Claus and the Easter Bunny. Mr. Blacker
and Mr. Buckley always greet people with
a cheery smile, no matter the time or the
weather. Buckley, who is a very avid
fisherman, is always glad to offer fishing
tips as well as assistance in mailing.
Two of the many "letters to Santa"
delivered by John Blacker over the years
are reprinted here: .
Dec. 1971
Dear Santa Claus,
Will you please bring me a Rumbler Set,
Michigan Shovel, Army Transport, Ding-a
Ling, A Marshal Trail Hunter, Talking
Projector, Instant Replay, Hot Line
Thunder Run, SSP Car, Micky Mouse
Little Big Wheel.
Carrie Kallembach
Dec. 1971
Dear Santa,
I Love you. And I want a gun for
Christmas And a boat. And a cowboy and
his horse.
Love Danny Miner
A Letter Published
in Republican
White Heath, Illinois
September 14, 1874
Editor Republican:
Our Literary Society disbanded last
spring by mutual consent until the first of
Sept., is again in full blast.
The side track under supervision of
Oscar Loy is rapidly approaching com-
pletion.
Weaver and Converse are buying all
kinds of grain. They have an extensive
lumber yard and are selling considerable
lumber.
Nelson Reid, our efficient school
treasurer will soon erect a new barn.
Wm. McCann recently started for
Kansas. He left home early in the morning,
came to the depot, gave up the notion and
returned home in time for dinner, a wiser
man.
James Webster has sold his store to F.
Watrons and F. M. Peel and they will sell
groceries, drugs, fancy articles and Mr.
Watrons will be the New Postmaster.
The sectional strife between this place
and the former Capital over the school
election has subsided.
Vin Williams is still selling goods at a
reduced price and defies competition.
Charley Smith, the eminent, must be
amassing a fortune, a friend heard him
say recently that White Heath would soon
be able to start a first National Bank.
Dr. J. M. Henrie, who consults the
misses and has immortalized his name in
poetic strains, is building a new office.
Frank Harville and Wm. Luscaleet our
well known notorious well diggers are
engaged in cleaning a well for Dr.
Unganst.
N. P. Heath engaging now corn but we
know not what he is paying and presume
he contemplates feed for hogs and cattle.
Milton Curl talks of selling his property
and moving to Missouri.
Vinson and Hickman, the world
celebrities for raising watermelons have
sold an unusual quantity of them this
season.
The smiling blacksmith J. M. Ross is
very busy.
Aaron Artman, Abe Coon and John
Scott, who are building this town, are still
anxious to extend their labor.
Harrison Wolf has bored 100 feet with
his new auger and thinks his labor will be
lost as there are no visible sign of a good
well.
Bishop M. Teats is one of our happiest
citizens, neither the daughter, grub
worms, chintz bugs or hot weather
disturbs the calm tranquility of his
generous being.
Signed (R.W.C.)
The above probably mentions all
business men in White Heath then, less
than two years after the place was laid out.
MINNIE AND LOU
In their little green house across from the
school they lived for many years
to all of their friends who knew them so
well they were known as
MINNIE AND LOU
ON THEIR LITTLE FRONT PORCH, I
can see them still as they watch the kids
come and go
they were never too busy to chat awhile,
our friends,
MINNIE AND LOU
Although up in their years, they were
active still
T.V. didn't take all their time,
with P.T.A. and the Community Club,
they were happy all of the time
Our old friends are gone now
The little house too.
In its place is a vacant lot
But each time I pass there it seem I should
see them
Our friends
MINNIE AND LOU
If I should live to attain their age
Two things I would hope to do
To live the good life and be as proud of it
As our dear friends
MINNIE AND LOU
By Jeanette Blacker
OPERATED HOTEL
AND
LIVERY STABLE
Milton Curl was a long resident of the
village, he spent the last twenty years of
his life running a hotel and livery stable in
the village. He was Sunday School
Superintendent of the United Brethren
Church.
CLINESBAND
nine's Band was organized in White Heatii
in 1875. Tlie first members were: Otis
Smith, J. C. Tippett. Cora Cline, B. E.
MUTIAL ORGANIZATIONS
During the mid 90's we found that many
of the White Heath folk belonged to many
Mutial Insurance Organizations.
In 1896 the Modern Woodman had many
members. Officers of the lodge that year
were: H. M. Curl V.C; E. A. Kinltaid
W.A.; C. A. McDaniel B.; E. R. Deland
CI.; B. R. White W., James Foster E.; J.
H. Luscaleet S.; and W. R. Bensen
Manager.
In January 1898 The Modern Woodman
organized its Auxiliary, The Royal Neigh-
bors. Officers elected at the first meeting
were: Emma White; Josie Cline; Barbara
Teats; Amanda White; Etta Deland;
Maude Hart; Hilda Rankin; Erma Mc-
Daniels; Ida Luscaleet; and Dr. Davis was
the Physician and John Luscaleet was
manager.
The Court of Honor was a mutial
Company which included both men and
women. We found a list of officers elected
for one year: S. B. Ewing; Hilda Rankin;
H.M. Curl; Rachel Wrench; Mary Deland;
Lena Duvall; W. Williamson; Frank Hick-
man; Charles Mitchell and B. S. Barker
M.D. Their first death claim was paid in
1903 upon the death of Joseph Welch.
In 1901 The Mutial Protective League
was granted a Charter. They chose the
following officers; Clint Vinson; Viola
Gayle; Dr. B. L. Barker; Frances Bensyl;
Frank Bochard; Nettie Bochard; William
Coyle; Tom Flanigan; Melisa Foraker;
and Frank Shaffer.
CARPENTERS
Artman, Coon, and Scott were Car-
penters.
Duball. Harley Norris, E.A. Kincaid, Ona
Cline (leader), Ed White, Frank O'Priest,
Will Plunk, Noble Heath, Ed Hart, William
Benson, Bert Bowdre. and Ed. Bates.
Women's Community Club 1944: Front
Row: child, John Mitchell. Left to right 1st
row: Ina Phillips, Margaret Hickman,
Bessie Vinson, Bessie F^urnish. 2nd row:
Mary Smoot, Jessie Mitchell, Mrs.
Clouser, Mrs. Peyton, Minie Dubson,
Helen Mitchell. Mrs. Votrain. :ird row:
Mrs. Joe Blacker, Rachel Vance, Mrs. W.
A. Dickason, Gladys Fisher.
CLUB BUILDING
Present Club Building erected in 1944.
In the early 1940's Lou Blacker and Mrs.
Dubson, Lou's sister, organized the first
community club in White Heath.
First meeting of the club was held in
their home with Mrs. Grace Spencer as the
first elected president.
Previously attended only by women, the
men became interested in their work for
the benefit of the community and soon
whole families were joining the club.
Club membership began to grown until
the present building was built in 1944 to
accommodate all the members.
THE FRESH AIR KIDS
We should bear in mind that White Heath
was one of the earliest communities to
assist in social work which if carried on
today would contribute toward the
building of the GREAT SOCIETY that the
government is so interested in today. As
far as we can find out, Mrs. J. H. Cline was
the instigator of the work in White Heath.
She was assisted directly by Mrs. George
Teats, Mrs. George Farley, and the Misses
Estella Bushee, Bess McDonald and Vira
Deland.
The idea behind the movement was to do
something for the children of the slums of
Chicago. Families in White Heath were
solicited to accept one or two children
from the streets of Chicago and take them
into their homes and entertain them for a
period of two weeks. The railroad was to
assist in the plan by furnishing free
transportation to and from Chicago.
The welfare society in Chicago selected
the children. They were to come from the
poorer families of Chicago and must have
no criminal record. The children who
came to White Heath were brought to the
Illinois Central depot in Chicago early
Monday morning. The railroad took
charge of them until they were delivered to
White Heath. They were placed in a coach
properly chaperoned and were sent to
their destination in White Heath at no cost.
On Monday, June 26, 1904, at about ten
o'clock in the morning the railroad
delivered 35 such children to the custody of
Mrs. Cline. The group ranged in ages from
nine to twelve and was composed of about
half boys and half girls. Everyone of them
was placed in a suitable family
which had arranged ahead of time as to
age and sex. For almost two weeks the
children had the time of their lives, both
the Fresh Air Kids as they were called and
the children of White Heath with whom
they played. It was a good experience for
both groups.
On Saturday of the second week as
scheduled, the fresh air kids were brought
to the depot and turned over to the railroad
which took them back to Chicago. Most of
them were attired in new clothing and
many tears were shed by both the en-
tertainers and the entertained. The project
was continued for several summers.
WATERMELON RAISERS
Vinson and Hickman, the watermelon
raiser, lived a mile north of town. Mr.
Vinson, father of Clint Vinson, never lived
in White Heath but built a house in town.
Mr. Hickman, father of Bill Hickman,
never lived in town but his wife did move to
town after his death.
F. & F. Builder's Company
White Heath, Illinois 61884
Phone 762-7403
House or Remodel
Complete Carpentry Work
Free Estimate
Marvin Foster Emmett Fritz
762-8297 678-8089
SPREAD THE GOOD WOOD
Phone 762-2526
Monticello, Illinois
We Deliver to White Heath
Homecoming 1912
White Heath
Homecoming August 1951. White Heath
Community Club. Bess Vinson: Effie
'^==^
Branch; Mary Bassett; Margaret Hick-
man; Tessie Mitchell.
A QUILTING BEE — held in the home of
Jean Flanigan. Mrs. Ada Mitchell, seated,
deceased. Left to right: Belle Timmons,
Deland; Mrs. Arlie (Nellie) Alexander,
White Heath: Mrs. Frank (Ott) Dresback,
deceased; Mrs. Henry (Nannie) Blacker,
deceased: Mrs. Park (Floss) Blacker,
deceased; Mrs. Ida Alexander Brady,
deceased: Mrs. Douglas (Melissa)
Blacker, deceased: Mrs. Jim (Rachel)
Cox, deceased: Miss Stella Bushee,
deceased.
PRACTICAL FINANCING
For Profitable Farming
Complete Farm Credit Service
CHAMPAIGN PRODUCTION
CREDIT ASSOCIATION
MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS 762-4666
G.S.C. HYBRID SEED CORN
RALPH MANUEL
White Heath, lUinois
Phone 687-5910
Compliments of
DAIRY QUEEN
"Live A Little"
Monticello Dairy Queen
McDermith
BILL ABBOTT, INC.
BUICK— OLDSMOBILE— PONTIAC
OPEL— CMC TRUCK
316 S. Market Street
Phone 762-2576
Monticello, Illinois 61856
TROY'S BARBER SHOP
Hours — 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday
White Heath
3 Chairs
N.W. Corner of
K-Mart Plaza
Most Complete Food Market in Town
GENE & JAC'S BI-RITE
Monticello
JACK WOOD
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
QUALITY HOME BUILDER
AND
DEVELOPER
WHITE HEATH, ILLINOIS
Phone 217-687-5330
BEAR HYBRIDS SEED CORN
James O. Rankin
762-7377
PIATT COUNTY'S LARGEST
Tire Dealer
Delta Tires - Goodyear Tires
O.K. TIRE
MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS
PANKAU BODY SHOP
FRAME & FRONT END ALIGNMENT
BODY REPAIR & PAINTING
MONTICELLO 762-2851
SEARS
Authorized Merchants
ED & BETTY NORFLEET
Cooking fried chicken in Iron Kettle. First
supper held at Community Building. Left
to right; Carl Mitchell. Ross Mitchell.
Irvin Hickman, Joe Blacker.
Marcia Cresap's 6th Birthday Party
August 3. 1949. Front: Robert Chumbley,
Gary Walker. Ronnie Gates. 2nd Row : Jim
Mitchell. Diane Vaughn Nolan, Marcia
Cresap, Mary Ellen Kallembach Dean.
Back Row: Pauline Mitchell Pearce,
Sharon Vaughn Roberts, Sharon Cresap
Hartsfield. Jeanette Blacker and Terry
Cresap.
Joe Fisher
BUSINESS RIVALS
Mr. Vincent Williams opened a store in
his mother's Hotel just a short time after
James Webster opened his store. Mr.
Williams didn't like competition and often
put on sales to compete against the other
merchants. On one occasion he put some
prices so low that Mr. Peel, just across the
street, had some friends to come and buy
all of Mr. William's sale stock. This was
used by Mr. Peel to stock his own shelves.
Mr. Williams soon moved his store to
Centerville.
Several years later he returned to White
Heath and built a new store but he didn't
stay long.
Mr. Peel was an interesting and jovial
character. He was elected as a minority
member of the Illinois State Legislature in
1886.
Some time after Mr. Peel started in
business in White Heath his store was
burglarized of considerable amount of
merchandise that never was recovered.
That caused him to have an irterrupted
sleep. Almost every night about one a.m.
you could hear 3 or 4 revolver shots. F. M.
Peel, the neighbors said thinking some one
was trying to rob him. He never hit
anyone but that night shooting continued
for over 40 years.
LUSCALEET HARDWARE
John Luscaleet.in the mid 90's, built a
hardware store in Block 9 which burned in
1902.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
THROUGH THE YEARS
1872
Plat for White Heath was filed for record
on September 30. Auction for lots held
October 10.
1873
One of the first to build a building was
James Webster. Within four months he
was appointed first Postmaster.
Mrs. Sarah Williams built the Junction
House.
1874
First flag pole rasied in town.
Mr. James Webster sold his stock of
goods to F. Watrons and F. N. Peel. Mr.
Watrons was appointed Postmaster.
Weaver and Converse were grain buyers
and had lumber business.
1875
White Heath tried to have a newspaper
but they only got as far with it as a name,
the Sangamon Herald.
Rev. Cumberland Tippett fell from an
apple tree and died the next day.
Mr. Peel doubled the size of his store
building.
Dr. Unangst built a shoe shop.
An article in the Republican stated that
White Heath had two dry goods stores, one
grocery store, one drug store, one lumber
yard, one blacksmith shop connected with
a wagon maker shop, one hotel, two
eminent physicians, two grain buyers and
one boarding house.
1876
Mr. Peel constructed a store on his lot
and built a residence soon after.
Announcement in the Herald: We
hereby agree on and after this date Feb. 17
1876 we will not prescribe Whiskey or other
intoxicating liquors to any person, old or
young unless under actual treatment for
disease, and not then unless the condition
of the Patient demands such a prescrip-
tion. So take notice and do not ask unless
you want to be refused. Signed — J. M.
Henrie-W. B. Unangst.
June 7 from the Herald: — White Heath
has three houses of entertainment — The
Junction House; The White Heath House;
and Mr. Converse's Restaurant.
The Junction House was the Williams's
Hotel, The White Heath House was located
at the corner of High and Orange Street,
and Mr. Converse's Restaurant was on the
railroad property.
John Andrew who later moved to
Monticello, had some trouble in Slabtown
School. Some of the children had gone
skating against his rules and also were
guilty of other matters and he expelled
them. The School Board refused to back
him up. Mr. Andrew resigned and move to
White Heath and built a house on lots 12
and 13 Block 13. It is still in use. He was
connected with buying Turkeys and
shipping them to New York.
1«77
There were three schools in the im-
mediate community: Hazel Dell with Mr.
Robinson teacher, one mile north of town,
50 to 60 pupils; Camp Creek, Miss Mattie
Bivens teacher, south, about 20 pupils;
Prairie Chapel, W. Carper teacher, 30
pupils.
1879
A new company was organized called
the Champaign Havana and Western
whose sole purpose was to operate the
railroad to the west and to complete it to
Keokuk. A large building was erected at
White Heath to serve as a supply center for
materials for the entire road. Noble Heath
recalled a large building that stood where
the firehouse is today. But he didn't
remember its use.
Charles Smith sold his store to Jacob
Cline.
ISSO
When the Wabash got control of the
railroad, Snell and Deland lost interest in
the future of White Heath. They sold the
north 80 acres which had never been
patented to J. H. Cline and Dr. Unangst.
They turned all their lots over to Ross
Mitchell and George Deland, a brother-in-
law and brother of James Deland and from
that time on White Heath was on its own.
J. H. Cline appointed Postmaster. Many
of his descendants still live in or near
White Heath.
1883
J. H. Cline elected Supervisor.
1884
In February White Heath had a new
harness shop. No mention of who the
owner was.
Dr. Henrie died December 24.
1885
Ross Mitchell's store burned.
The depot was moved to where it is
today.
Toward the end of 1885 the Hazel Dell
School was too crowded.
1886
When school opened there were 57
enrolled at White Heath and 38 at Hazel
Dell.
1887
The United Brethren Church mem-
bership was moved to White Heath.
1888
First sidewalk appeared made of wood.
Dr. Unangst and Miss Mattie Bevens
were married in September.
1889
The Universalist Church was started.
1893
May 4 an election was held.
May 14 they authorized a new school
building.
July 12 work started on a two room
school.
John Luscaleet opened an implement
store.
Jerry Purcell opened a barber shop.
Modern Woodman was organized.
1894
On May 2 White Heath lost its second
doctor. Dr. Unangst died.
On August 2 Dr. Hart took over
Unangst's practice.
1895
Cline's Band was organized.
J. C. Flangan built a makeshift elevator.
Court of Honor granted a White Heath
Charter.
1896
Mafr 24 the Universalist Church was
completed.
Charley Bartley bought out Jerry
Purcell's barber shop. From then until
George Clouser retired in 1934, White
Heath had a barber shop.
May 7 lightning stuck the depot and it
burned. Replaced by the present depot.
It was this year that White Heath got its
first telephones. One was installed at
Cline's store and one in John Luscaleet's
IMPLEMENT AND Hardware Store.
1898
White Heath began to come out of the
mud with sidewalks. The walks were made
out of wood. 20,000 feet of lumber was used.
A few were built in 1888 but very few.
Years later they started putting in con-
crete. Supervised by the West Brothers of
Deland.
Excellent football teams were produced
by White Heath from 1898 to 1904.
Royal Neighbors organized in White
Heath.
1899
The first concrete foundations used in
White Heath.
1901
Mutual Protection league organized.
Population 163.
19(12
The Rural Mail established It was. 26
miles long. Pay was $60 a month George
Deland was the first carrier William
Spenser was the next, then Carl Mitchell.
i9(i:!
William Murray built an elevator. The
storm of 1904 blew it down.
1904
The year of the big wind storm.
l9(Hi
The interurban was built This did White
Heath more harm than good for people
began to go elsewhere to trade on the
Interurban.
J. H, Cline elected County Treasurer.
1907
A private bank was started by Hiram
Artman, J. H. Cline and J. F. Heath. Also
William Alexander, Silas Sievers and
Oscar Thompson promoted more business.
A furniture store and implement store was
started by William Jones of Cisco. A
grocery store was built by Oscar Thomp-
son.
The first brick building was built.
1909
Odd Fellows was organized.
1912
Leonard Luscaleet began his long term
as Mail Carrier.
1920
The Bank was changed to The State
Bank.
William Murray built an electric line
which was later taken over by Illinois
Power and Light Company,
1922
A state highway came through the town
which made it easy to travel elsewhere to
trade,
1927
The State Bank was sold to The Moore
State Bank of Monticello.
1935
The implement and hardward store was
moved to Tuscola by Albert Flanigan. The
grocery stores continued to flourish under
operators as George Drexler, Max
Branch, Hugh Hannah and Ross Mitchell.
1953
December 27 birth of a daughter to Mr,
and Mrs. Michael Cresap.
1954
January 5— Death of Mrs. Grace E.
Blacker, 64, formerly of White Heath.
Janury 24 — Sixtieth wedding an-
niversary of Mr. and Mrs. George M.
Vinson.
January 27 — Marriage of Nell Branch
of White Heath and Jack Giesler of
Champaign.
February 4 — Mrs. Ray Norton of White
Heath heads unit P.T.A. Council.
February 14 — Marriage of Nola Mit-
chell of White Heath and Ronald E. Milton
of Hernando, Florida.
March 4 — Birth of daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Donald Gilbreath.
March 22 — Birth of son to Mr. and Mrs.
Gerald Hall.
April 5 — Death of Earl Sievers, 58.
May 22 — Marriage of Lule E. Sumner of
White Heath and Dolores Vossenkemoer of
Portage des Sious, Missouri.
May 25 — Death of Mrs. Minnie Wood,
70.
June 3 — Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Vin-
son, 82.
July 1 — Birth of son to Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Rodgers.
July 24 — Birth of son to Mr. and Mrs.
Porter Heath of White Heath.
July 30 — Death of Mrs. Anna H. Vinson,
formerly of White Heath.
September 26 — Death of Roscoe Floyd,
71.
October 1 — Birth of daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Wheeler.
October 14 — Death of Charles R.
Spencer, 74.
October 26 — Birth of daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. Elmer Purcell.
October 29 — Birth of a son to Mr. and
Mrs. Richard Harper.
October 29 — Death of Carl Mitchell, 71.
October 30 — Marriage of Harold
Menacher of White Heath and Donna Sizer
of Fisher.
November 2 — Frank Wrench elected
Supt. of Schools.
November 5 — Wilson Piatt named head
of White Heath Community Club.
November 18 — Death Charles W.
Alexander, 58.
November 20 — Marriage of Dorothy
Breen of Urbana and Jerome Menacher of
White Heath.
November 20 — Death of Mrs. Elizabeth
Milligan, 79.
November 24 — Marriage of Mary
Alexander of White Heath and Russell
Griffet of Champaign.
December 9 — Birth of son to Mr. and
Mrs. John McCall.
1957
January 5 — James Rankin named
director to Farm Bureau.
January 27 — Birth of daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. James E. Wood.
March 28 — Birth of son to Mr. and Mrs.
Harold Zindars.
March 31 — Birth of a daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. Everett Benson.
April 2 — Paul Branch elected Super-
visor of Sangamon Township.
May 26 — Birth of a daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Dale Burke.
June 11 — Death of Joseph S. Blacker,
85.
June 12 — Birth of son to Mr. and Mrs.
Terry Cresap.
June 29 — Marriage of Barbara Conover
of Champaign and Charles Vinson Jr.
July 5 — John Heath heads Monticello
Masonic Lodge.
July 11 — Death of James C. Vinson, 81.
July 14 — Birth of daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Bolden Moefield.
July 18 — Death of Mrs. Erri Funish, 68.
August 2 — Birth of daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Delbert Stanley.
August 11 — Death of Mrs. Julia Sinkler,
74.
August 15 — Death of Benjamin D.
Stowers, 55.
September 1 — Board of Supervisors
voted 15 percent increase on assessed
valuation of all farm land in Piatt County.
September 10 — Wilson Piatt named to
Forest Preserve board.
September 23 — Birth of a daughter to
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Alexander.
October 20 — Mrs. Minnie Blacker was
85 years old.
November 15 — Birth of a son to Mr. and
Mrs. Floyd Downs.
December 5 — Death of Mrs. Colby
Peyton, 66.
December 13 — End of year long court
fight over $450,000 estate of Laura Cald-
well.
1959
January 9 — Death of James E. Conway,
75.
January 19 — Mrs. Aline Seymour heads
White Heath R.N.A.
January 20 — Worst sleet storm in
history. Many trees and lines down. No
electricity overnight.
January 22 — Death of Mrs. Lena E.
Sarver, 75.
January 26 — Birth of daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. Ecus Vaughn.
January 30 — Death of Mrs. W. N.
Sievers, 68.
January 31 — Dean McCartney new
director of Piatt County Farm Bureau.
February 10 — Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Chalk, Sr., married 25 years.
February 24 — Mr. and Mrs. Park
Blacker wed 50 years.
February 28 — Birth of a daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. Dale Mackey.
March 5 — Birth of a daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Rudisill.
March 29 — Death of Noble Porter Heath
III, 28.
April 2 — Death of William H. Cresap,
81.
April 7 — Clint Harper and Gerald
Valentine tied in race for road Com-
missioner. Both received 185 votes. They
drew lots with Harper winning.
April 15 — Gerald Valentine filed a
petition to have ballots in Sangamon
Township be examined and tallied by the
court.
April 18 — Death of Mrs. Porter Heath
III, 26.
April 30 — Dr. W. N. Sievers honored by
P.T.A.
May 2 — Marriage of Nancy Eastham of
Monticello and Richard Branch of White
Heath.
May 29 — Birth of daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. David Hartsfield.
June 7 — Birth of daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Paul Brown.
June 18 — Death of Dr. Florence T.
Truax, 87, formerly of White Heath at
Miami, Florida.
July 2 — Death of Lewis E. Furnish, 81.
July 7 — Gerald Valentine declared
elected road commissioner of Sangamon
Township by eight votes by Circuit Court.
July 15 — Death of Jose M. Ambrose, 85.
July 29 — Birth of son to Mr. and Mrs.
Ottis Chumbley.
July 30 — Governor William Stratton
assigned high priority to Champaign
expressway. First work to be done on
segment between Monticello and White
Heath.
August 3 — Frank Wrench retired as
county superintendent of schools after two
terms.
August 16 — Marriage of Madonna
Harper and James H. Smith both of White
Heath.
August 20 — Death of Dr. William N.
Duvall, 86, formerly of White Heath at
Mishawaka, Indiana.
September 3 — Birth of a daughter to
Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Benson. The baby died
next day.
September 5 — Luella McCartney with
others name outstanding 4-H Home Ec
girls in county.
October 3 — Birth of son to Mr. and Mrs.
Clyde Dates.
October 16 — Death of George M. Vin-
son, 89.
November 8 — Birth of son to Mr. and
Mrs. Donald Haworth.
November 25 — Birth of son to Mr. and
Mrs. Donald Schumacher.
November 27 — Walter White named
president of White Heath Community
Club.
December 17 — Governor William G.
Stratton named James White of White
Heath with others as semi-finalists in the
selection of Illinois College Scholarship
award winners.
I960
January 18 — Birth of daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. James Nooman.
January 26 — Birth of a daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. Robert Day.
February 21 — Marriage of Mrs. Bertha
Roane and Dr. W. N. Sievers.
April 9 — Death of Cloyd W. Rudisill, 57.
April 11 — Birth of a son to Mr. and Mrs.
Gilbert Magsamen.
April 17 — Death of Leon Votrain, 87.
April 23 — Mrs. Glorianelle Moore, 37, of
Decatur killed when her car left curve on
Route 47 southwest of White Heath.
April 30 — Marriage of Lela Mae Ard of
Bement and Marion Sapp, Jr., of White
Heath.
May 5 — Birth of daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Edward Day.
May 6 — White Heath came in 6th in the
County School Track Meet.
May 9 — Birth of daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Rudisill.
June 26 — Marriage of Caria Buchanan
of White Heath and Larry McClellan of
Lodge.
July 29 — Death of Lyle H. Gallivan, 63.
August 26 — Dr. W. N. Sievers of White
Heath presented with 50 year certificate
from American Medical Association.
September 17 — Death of Dr. William N.
Sievers, 75.
September 22 — Birth of son to Mr. and
Mrs. Morris Young.
September 30 — Marriage of Donna
Cade of Monticello and Kenneth Norfleet
of White Heath.
October 9 — Death of Miss Elizabeth
Daley, 79, of Decatur formerly of White
Heath.
October 25 — Bids opened on con-
struction of 4.9 miles of expressway from
Monticello to White Heath at a cost of
$2,742,040.
November 7 — Work started on ex-
pressway from White Heath to Monticello.
November U — Birth of daughter to Mr.
and Mrs. Morris Valentine.
December 2 — Death of Don Vinson, 58,
native of White Heath at Rockford.
December 3 — Birth of son to Mr. and
Mrs. Mellard Guenther.
I'Hil
January 7 — 55th wedding anniversary
of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Scott of White Heath.
February 5 — Death of Mrs. Nannie
Blacker, 88.
February 7 — Death of Wayne W. Welch,
71, of Albuquerque, N.M., formerly of
White Heath.
February 14— Maurice Young named to
County Forest Preserve Board.
April 17 — Birth of daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. Dale Mackey.
April 25 — Paul Branch heads Board of
Supervisors.
May 2 — Death of Effie Branch, 76.
June 25 — Marriage of Sharon Vaughn of
White Heath and William Roberts of
Monticello.
July iO — Death of William Heath, 78.
August 3 — Louella McCartney crowned
Queen of Piatt County 4-H Show.
August 4 — Death of Colby L. Peyton, 77.
August 11 — Marriage of Norma Sumner
of White Heath and Ronald J. Forrester of
Springfield, Missouri.
August 20 — Mrs. Kate Wachs, 92, of
White Heath and daughter. Mrs. Charles
Bell, of Monticello, killed in two car
collision near Leverett.
August 27 — Marriage of Mary Ellen
Kallembach of White Heath and Richard
L. Dean of Monticello.
September 2 — Second anniversary of
Hickory Hill Hunt Club.
October 13 — Death of Ottis Chumbley,
49.
November 6 — Dean McCartney suffers
broken pelvic bone in tractor accident.
November 10 — Death of Kenneth B.
Bensyl, 61.
November 18 — Teddy E. Marshky, 22,
of Champaign killed and a Urbana man
injured when car hit Shady rest bridge.
December 6 — Birth of son to Mr. and
Mrs. Millard Guenther.
Monticello and John Houser of White
Heath.
August 14 — Death of Miss Rose Dungan,
86.
Aseptember 18 — Birth of daughter to
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Dates.
October 5 — Birth of son to Mr. and Mrs.
John Ensign.
October 21 — Death of Orval Barber.
October 22 — Miss Nelda Alexander, 17,
killed as train strikes car in Monticello.
December 5 — Charles A. Mosgrove of
Mansfield hurt when his car was hit by
Illinois Central Freight Train at Shady
Rest Crossing.
December 13 — Death of Mrs. Floyd
Bowdre, 73.
Pastor's Paragraphs
Greetings:
One of the songs in our hymnal that I
truly enjoy singing is, "There is Joy in the
Lord." It speaks of an experience in Christ
that makes us happy; happy to be alive,
happy to be serving such a great God.
Christians should be happy people.
I like humor. I like good Christian fun. I
like to laugh. God gave us all the abihty to
laugh and smile. We ought to do more of it.
I want to share this laughable, yet good
point poem with you. Read it and diuckle
and get the meaning of it.
•SURPRISE. SURPRISE"
I dreamed that death came the other night
And Heaven's Gate swung wide
With kindly grace an angel came and
Welcomed me inside.
Well, there to my astonishment stood
Folk I'd known on earth.
Some I had judged and called unfit,
And some of little worth.
Indignant words rose to my lips but
Never were set free.
For every face showed stunned surprise
NO ONE EXPECTED ME.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••**•*
Schedule of
Centennial Events
Kids Games
Parade
Teen Dance
Square Dance
Cake Walk
9:00
12:00 p.m.
9:00
9:00
8:30
Saturday, July 15
July 15
July 15
July 15
July 15
Horse Shoe Pitching
Judge of Beards
Judge of Women's Dresses
7:30
7:30
8:30
July 10
July 11
July 11
Soap Box Derby
Soap Box Finals
6:00
2:00
July 13
July 15
Tractor Pull
7:00
July 14
1965
January 4 — Death of Mrs. Laura B.
Dilsaver.99.
January 18 — Sixtieth wedding an-
niversary of Mr. and Mrs. Clint Harper of
Centerville.
February 24 — Birth of son to Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Rudisill.
February 26 — Death of Fred L. Cox, 78.
April 6 — Paul Branch elected as
Supervisor of Sangamon Township.
July 31 — Marriage of Kathleen Brady of
Church
Basket Dinner
Gospel Sing
Chicken Fry
July 9
July 9
July 9
July 15
••••••••*•••••••••••••••••* •••••••••■^^••••^^••*
Congratulations To The
WHITE HEATH
COMMUNITY
on your 100th Birthday
THE COUNTRY COMPANIES
N.D. HAMMERSCHMIDT
LEIPER FURNITURE STORE
KAISERS STORE
MONTICELLO LUMBER CO.
^
i
^
];,, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA
977 367W586 C001
WHITE HEATH CENTENNIAL, 1872-1972 S L
3 0112 025396364
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11